Zimpapers Logo

Ellah Mukwati Herald Reporter
Public Service, Labour and Social Services Minister Prisca Mupfumira yesterday gave National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) workers a 24-hour ultimatum to return to work.

Over 4 000 NRZ workers across the country have been on strike for almost two weeks, stopping operations including transport of imported wheat and drought relief maize, following the non-payment of over 15-month salary arrears.

NRZ public relations manager Mr Fanuel Masikati said they approached the Labour Court and were given a show cause order, which Cde Mupfumira issued to the workers on strike.

“Pending determination of this matter, I further direct that the collective job action be terminated immediately and in any case within 24 hours of the serving of this order,” read part of the show cause order.

Mr Masikati said they were advising all the workers to resume their duties.

“We are now appealing to all the workers to come back to work so that all the trains will resume their functions. We are saying the workers should come back to work because it is our only source of income,” he said.

The NRZ workers had said they would not end their strike until they were paid their outstanding salaries of more than a year.