OK Zimbabwe in wrangle with workers

Published: 07 October 2013

OK Zimbabwe is embroiled in a potentially bruising wrangle with 51 former workers of OK Mart, over alleged unfavourable working conditions that ensued when the former took over from Makro.

The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange listed last year retailer acquired South African retail giant Massmart's sole Zimbabwe unit in line with provisions of the country's indigenisation requirements.

After buying Makro Zimbabwe from Massmart OK Zimbabwe rebranded the hypermarket to OK Mart, but workers have alleged the takeover has brought about more misery than joy for the workers.

The wrangle has since been referred to the National Employment Council for the Commercial Sector of Zimbabwe after the feuding parties failed to come to an internally agreed resolution.

The Progressive Commercial Trades and Allied Workers Union of Zimbabwe wrote to OK Zimbabwe in July advising that workers had lodged a complaint alleging unfair labour practice.

"It is alleged that from the time OK Zimbabwe took over from Makro as a going concern the conditions of employment have been less favourable instead of being more favourable," PCTAWUZ said.

Issues cited include access to free transport, failure to address an error on medical aid, increase of contribution for food provided at the firm's canteen and being made to work over time.

But OK Zimbabwe chief executive Mr Willard Zireva dismissed claims that conditions of employment had become worse saying Makro would not given them better conditions as it was broke.

"You are always going to get that kind of talk, but nobody was forced to join OK Zimbabwe Makro undertook to pay off all those who were not prepared to join OK Zimbabwe," said Mr Zireva.

He also argued that the retailer did not change conditions of service to worse for any worker.
- herald

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