Former Zupco workers plan to sue over unpaid wages

Former workers of the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) have raised serious concerns over the company’s failure to pay outstanding wages, some of which date back to July last year. Disgruntled employees claim that despite working for the once-dominant public transport company, they were only compensated in the local currency, Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), instead of the agreed upon US dollars.

One former employee said the last payment received in US dollars was in June last year. “I left the company in May this year and since then they have not been able to pay off my debt,” the worker said.

Another employee expressed frustration with the lack of communication from Zupco management. “We have formed a group of former workers and plan to engage lawyers to recover our back wages,” the worker added, highlighting the long-running problem.

For many, the situation has become unbearable. One woman who frequents the Zupco warehouse in Bulawayo shared her experience of being moved from one office to another as she tried to resolve a problem with unpaid wages. “Every time I try to talk to managers, they treat me poorly and I am often told that the people in charge of finance are unavailable,” she said. “We have not even received an apology or any communication about our non-payment of wages and we are suffering.”

The workers’ complaints come amid broader concerns about Zupco’s financial stability. In May, NewsDay reported that former and current employees accused Zupco management of widespread corruption, including allegations of financial mismanagement and attempts to cover up those problems through manipulated records.

Zupco, which once enjoyed a monopoly on public transport during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 and 2021, is struggling to recover. The company was recently transferred to the Mutapa Investment Fund as part of the government’s efforts to rescue the financially troubled state-owned enterprise.

Workers also expressed alarm about possible layoffs as a cover for possible audits. They also highlighted alleged financial irregularities, including discrepancies in diesel dispensing and receipts. The ruling Zanu-PF party allegedly paid for buses hired during last year’s election campaign using diesel fuel and cash, but the resources were allegedly diverted by senior officials for personal gain, workers said.

Zupco’s Kelvin depot manager Melody Dege declined to comment when contacted by NewsDay. “I cannot comment on the issue of non-payment of salaries over the phone,” she said.

As the dispute drags on, former workers are becoming increasingly desperate, with many facing increasing financial problems due to unpaid wages. The situation calls into question Zupco’s long-term viability and the transparency of its financial management practices as it struggles to meet its obligations to its employees.