The strike continues as some employees of Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (ZUPCO) have decided keep their vehicles off the road until their demands have been met.
Although the dispute is between ZUPCO and its employees, the passengers suffer the most as they have to either walk long distances to get to where they need to go or just wait for alternative transport in long queues.
Why strike?
According to some employees, the root cause of the strike is the delays in salary payments by the company. “Today we decided not to report for duty because the company is taking us for fools. We haven’t been paid since December 14 and when we try to engage the management, they don’t give us a satisfactory answer, they always beat around the bush,” one of the employees told New Zimbabwe.
The commuter omnibus owners who contracted their vehicles to ZUPCO said they were was an agreement that they will be paid ZWL$7 200 per day but they were yet to receive their January payments. They are also unhappy that they cash their money in Rand and US dollars but they are paid in local currency.
These vehicle owners have to also put up with disgruntled employees because by the time the money is received, inflation rates would have decreased its value. They also have to deal with servicing their cars and most parts are bought in US dollars.
Basic Business
Commuters have had to walk long distances to their workplaces and homes due to this strike. Some had to wait in the rain and one ca only imagine how difficult it will be when children start going to school. While its commendable that ZUPCO wants to provide affordable transport for commuters, its important to balance the satisfaction of the employees and the customers.
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