Harare grinds to halt as council workers strike

Harare grinds to halt as council workers strike

UNITY SQUARE, City of Harare

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By Staff Reporter

CITY of Harare employees have gone on strike leaving many rate payers stranded.

The Harare Municipality Workers Union said the City of Harare had failed to provide protective clothing and necessary equipment for their employees, forcing them to embark on industrial action.

The strike which started on Wednesday on a low note has grounded the entire City Health Department, Cleansing department and the Amenities department. Employees from other departments which do not heavily rely on protective clothes have also joined the strike in solidarity with their workmates.

Most Council clinics were not operational in the morning although the nurses were around but simply not offering their services. The rubbish collectors were not on the road as well as they are the most affected. The sewerage workers at Corobrough in Mufakose have downed their tools and ladies in red who are usually everywhere sweeping the city roads were nowhere to be found this morning.

Protective clothing have been said to be a necessity in most council departments since work related deaths have increased. Gloves, uniforms, canvasses, boots and tools are the most common items that the employees use at various departments.

“The council is busy deliberating on trivial issues like firing Leslie Gwindi when our people are dying on duty," said said Mr Bungu the Chairman of Harare Municipality Workers Union. "We have been writing to them since last year but nothing has changed. Work related deaths have increased due to HIV hence the need to have protective clothing all the times. Imagine a worker with his boots full of human worst because they are torn, surely something must be done about our welfare."

The problems at the council departments have been worsened because most machines are broken down and work has to be done manually.
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