ZIMBABWE - HARARE - Zimpapers Harare branch journalists yesterday went on strike demanding monthly allowances and February salary to be in foreign currency.

 

The strike follows the one that was staged last week by their colleagues at Bulawayo branch.

 

 

The journalists both junior and senior reporters were unhappy with a number of issues among them poor remuneration and poor management.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Junior reporters are being paid US$100 while senior reporters earn US$120 as allowances while their salaries are being paid in Zimbabwe dollars.

 

Only last month, the management deposited quadrillions of Zimbabwean dollars into the reporters’ bank accounts much to their disgruntlement.

 

This is despite the fact that Zimbawean dollar is no longer accepted in any transaction except at the company’s canteen where a plate of sadza and vegetables cost Z$100 trillion dollars.

 

However, the reporters have to struggle to pay for their medical, rental and transport expenses.

 

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A reporter who lives in Chitungwiza needs at least US$2 a day on transport

 

By yesterday morning The Herald newsroom was deserted leaving the news editor to rely on students on attachment.

 

Indications were that the strike could spread to other departments that include advertising, marketing, circulation and subscriptions if the management fails to address the workers plight.   

 

A representative of the workers committee who requested anonymity said the management failed to heed the calls by Minister of Media, Information and Publicity, Webster Shamu to revise the allowances upwards.

 

Shamu held a series of meetings with the management since went into office but there has been little if any effort, by management to honour up their pledge.

 

“We have taken a position not to go to work because of management’s lack of respect for its workers. Besides negotiating in bad faith they seem not to care about our cause.

 

 

So far, the strike has gone on well and should the management fail to address our grievance we will not go to work,” he said. A senior management official at Zimpapers Harare branch who requested not to be named said they were looking into the issue.

 

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