ABOUT a hundred former employees of Young Phiroz General Dealers will now be able to buy the renowned and most sought after 25 KG mealie meal with ease after the Ministry of Labour and Social Security successfully secured their long-overdue redundancy packages, totaling more than K1.1 million.
It is reported that three weeks ago, workers lodged a complaint against their employer, demanding their dues for the previous contracts before signing the newly introduced contracts.
According to statement released today by Ministry of Labour principal public relations officer, Mwaka Ndawa, the Ministry confirmed that it had intervened on behalf of the 94 affected workers who had lodged a formal complaint about their unpaid dues following the introduction of new contracts by their employer.
“About three weeks ago, the workers lodged a complaint against their employer, demanding their dues for the previous contracts prior to signing the newly introduced contracts,” Ndawa confirmed.
The dispute stemmed from the company’s attempt to alter existing employment contract, a move that required employee consent under the law of which the workers refused to sign the revised contracts.
As a result, the Ministry was prompted to apply Section 55(1)(c) of the Employment Code Act, which states that such a separation qualifies as redundancy if the employee does not agree to altered terms.
“The workers did not accept the alterations implemented by their employer and were as a result, declared redundant,” she explained.
Following negotiations, Young Phiroz General Dealers agreed to pay a total of K1,128,590.87 in redundancy packages, the amount which the company is committed to settle in installments with the first payment of over K500, 000 successfully made on two days ago.
Workers owed less than K9,000 have already been fully paid, while those with higher amounts will receive their redundancy of K5,000 each this month, and the remaining balance on May 12, 2025.
The affected employees expressed appreciation for the Ministry’s timely action, which helped them finally collect what was rightfully theirs.
“This case sets an example to employers who are in the habit of exploiting workers,” said Ndawa.
“As Government, we will see to it that workers receive their rightful dues as agreed upon.”
By George Musonda
Kalemba April 14, 2025