HARARE - The Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company (Zisco)’s — now NewZim Steel — workers have appealed to President Robert Mugabe for intervention in the recovery of their unpaid wages.

The 3 500 workers, owed five years’ worth of salaries, yesterday told Parliament’s Industry and Commerce portfolio committee that their welfare had massively deteriorated, despite the takeover of the steel producer by India-based Essar Africa Holdings Limited (Essar) in a multi-million dollar deal.

“We had to seek intervention from the highest office as we had been hitting a brick wall and not getting any positive results from meeting with Zisco and Essar management.

“It was only after the intervention of Vice President Joice Mujuru that some payments were made,” Benedict Moyo, workers’ representative, said.

“We are living in poverty our children are being chased away from schools and we are failing to access the medical aid because no money has been remitted towards our medical cards,” he said.

Moyo said the Kwekwe-based company’s plant was still not operational.

He added that while the company had sold some iron worth about $5, 5 million, no payment was made towards the overdue salaries. - Business Writer