Zimbabwe’s flag carrier Air Zimbabwe has placed employees on indefinite unpaid leave. The communication was made through a circular:
On the 27th of March 2020, the Head of State, His Excellency, President E.D. Mnangagwa announced a 21 day National Lockdown as a preventive measure against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Details of the National Lockdown measures are articulated in Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020. Consequently, the Airline operations have ground to a halt as most of the passenger travel destinations are on lockdown with travel restrictions, implying NIL revenue inflows. While other revenue initiatives are being pursued, staff remuneration remains one of the largest cost drivers within the Airline and without revenue inflows and external interventions, it will be a challenge to continue funding the salaries.
Resultantly, our staff compliment shall be reduced and a skeletal team identified by the Heads of departments will be in place to ensure adhoc operations, airworthiness compliance, safety, security of aircraft and associated equipment within the Airline. Therefore, some of us will be placed on indefinite unpaid leave effective 23 April 2020 until operations normalise. However, April 2020 salaries will be paid to all staff members in full.
This decision has been made after evaluating all the available and possible options. However, the COVID-19 pandemic seemingly appears to have far reaching consequences on the overall economy and our way of living. Nonetheless, we look forward to resuming our normal operations with the deployment of our 8737 and ERJ 145 once they are available and travel restrictions have been lifted.
Lastly, let us be reminded that the National Airline is still under Reconstruction and there is need to ensure that the available scarce resources are channelled towards business continuity.
All communication will be done the Human Resources Department.