By SYLVESTER MWALE –
The Ministry of Labour has summoned South African based TAP Zambia owner Mutumwa Mawere and board chairperson Noel Nkhoma to explain on the closure of the roof manufacturing firm.
. Shamenda
Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda said the ministry was worried with the happenings at TAP Zambia after all senior managers deserted the company without paying the employees.
The meeting which is set for Tuesday is expected to confirm the closure of the company and probably find ways in which to clear the terminal benefits of the employees.
About 90 employees who were forced to go on unpaid leave in October last year are currently worried that the company could close without paying them their terminal benefits.
This followed the resignation of all the managers at the firm which has experienced operation challenges for the past two years.
“Of course we are worried with the status of the employees and that is why we have called the officials at the ministry so that we can find the way forward,” Mr Shamenda said in an interview.
“Like many other companies, the information I have is that the company has been facing some financial challenges in recent past and this is the reason that the situation has reached at this stage.
Mr Shamenda however, assured that the government would ensure that any decision that would be taken was within the confines of the law.
He said the government had been following the events with keen interest and it was not true that the ministry had ignored the plight of the employees at TAP Zambia.
National Union of Commercial and Industrial Workers (NUCIW) general secretary Seth Paraza appealed to the Government to intervene in the imminent closure of TAP Zambia which has left more than 90 Zambian employees jobless.
Mr Paraza said there was growing fear that foreign investors of the roof manufacturing firm could disappear after selling all the assets without paying the terminal benefits of the employees.
“We know that everyone is busy with the campaigns but I appeal that they should also render the ear to these workers who are struggling,” Mr Paraza said in an interview.
