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Hogarths Engineering workers protest salary delays and poor treatment

Employees at Hogarths Engineering, a structural steel engineering company in Bulawayo, have voiced concerns over delayed salaries and alleged poor treatment from management.

Workers report that they have not been paid since October 2024, with some claiming they faced abrupt contract terminations and other forms of retaliation when inquiring about overdue payments.

Sources within the company, speaking under anonymity for fear of victimisation, disclosed that contracts were terminated without receiving their outstanding wages but were later called back to work.

โ€œOur company hasnโ€™t paid us since October, yet they are firing people without settling what they owe,โ€ one employee alleged.

The situation escalated when security guards reportedly confiscated food from workers during a meal break.

Human Resources Manager Pardon Madzivire responded to the allegations, confirming that employeesโ€™ outstanding salaries would be paid the same day.

โ€œHogarths Engineering employees are paid 50% in US dollars and 50% in Zimbabwean dollars (ZWG). Full US dollar wages have been settled, and only one month of ZWG payments was outstanding. These have now been paid to employees whose contracts were not renewed,โ€ Madzivire said.

He explained that contracts were not renewed because the tasks they covered had been completed.

โ€œContracts entered into on January 3, 2025, expired on January 15, 2025. Delays in settling outstanding salaries at the end of these contracts were experienced but have now been resolved. Those offered new contracts starting January 16, 2025, will receive full payment today,โ€ he stated.

However, employees argue that partial salary payments and delayed wages are recurring issues at the company. They claim management often retaliates when workers seek clarity on their payments.

On the issue of food confiscation, Madzivire confirmed that the incident took place during a worker sit-in.

โ€œOn January 14, workers staged a sit-in and refused to work. Accordingly, management deemed the provision of free meals unnecessary,โ€ he explained.

Senzeni Ncube

Senzeni Ncube is an accomplished journalist based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, with seven years of experience in hard news, investigative writing, fact-checking, and a keen focus on social development, mining, elections, and climate change. She has extensive expertise in reporting community service delivery issues, demonstrating a deep understanding of politics, human rights, gender equality, corruption, and healthcare. Additionally, she possesses proficiency in video production and editing and is dedicated to providing high-quality journalism that highlights crucial social matters and amplifies the voices of the community. Senzeni is known for her thought-provoking interviewing skills.

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