Zimra workers at the Robert Mugabe International Airport have downed tools over safety concerns. They are accusing their employer of not taking any protective measures for their staff. They have mentioned that their employer has not taken any steps to quarantine or test them in the aftermath of Zororo Makamba’s confirmed coronavirus case.
Customs officials at Zimbabwe’s largest airport are at high risk off contracting coronavirus as they interact with travellers from other countries who may have corona virus. As per World Health Organisation guidelines, they are supposed to have protective clothing and be tested and quarantined if they come in contact with a traveller who tests positive. None of that happened to customs officials in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe has so far recorded 3 cases of coronavirus. The first case came through Victoria Falls International Airport and the second case touched down at Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare. Zimra is accuses of not taking any measures to protect the workers who are at the frontline of receiving travellers.
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) was notified through a letter:
RE: NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF LABOUR AT ROBERT GABRIEL MUGABE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN TERMS Or SECTION 104(4)a OF THE LABOUR ACT CHAPTER 28, 01 UNTIL WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION PROTOCOL IS OBSERVED.
Wherefore it has come to the Zimbabwe Revenue and Allied Workers Trade Union (ZIMRATU) attention that an occupational hazard which is posing great danger to Zimbabwe Revenue Author. ZIMRA workers has arisen at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. The occupational hazard involves possible exposure to the COM •19 virus of workers who were at the referred airport when one client who is now deceased passed through and was served by ZIMRA workers.
Again there has not been any testing and possible quarantine of the workers who work at the Airport in the aftermath of the discovery that the nosy deceased client passed through and was served by ZIMRA staff at the said Airport.
There is very high exposure of all staff at the referred Airport due to lack of proper stop gap facilities to mitigate the possible spread of the deadly virus.
it Is on this background that all ZIMRA workers station at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International A,P. are invoking section 104(4)a of the labour Act Chapter 28:01 with immediate effect. The workers shall not report for duty until proper measures are taken to substantially mitigate the danger.
For and on Behalf of all ZIMRATU members at Robert Mugabe International Airport