Harare Workers at the State controlled broadcasting station,ZBC, have threatened to strike after their employer  offered them a 20% salary increment as opposed to a 100% they are demanding.

A member of the workers’ union, who requested for anonymity, said the State broadcaster’s General Manager responsible for Finance, Retired Brigadier Elliot Kasu has challenged the company CEO Happison Muchechetere who had authorized the workers’ request.

“Come month-end if they fail to give us at least 100% salary increment we are going to down tools,” said a member of the workers union who requested anonymity for fear of victimization.

He said Kasu who has now become de facto ZBC CEO , said workers at the broadcasting station were similar to civil servants and were not entitled to such a salary increment and approved a 20% with effect from April 2010.

“Kasu now is overriding Muchechetere’s decisions. Since he came here Muchechetere’s powers have been diluted.”

Journalists at the ZANU-PF propaganda machinery are earning $340 a month, with middle managers getting $1 200 while general hand workers go home with $180.

Top four managers,Happison Muchechetere(CEO),Brigadier Elliot Kasu(General manager Finance and Administration),Allan Chiweshe(General manger Programming) and Tarzan Mandizvidza(General Manager, News and Current Affairs) are reportedly earning more than $5000 per month including allowances.

“We can not late these managers enslave us. They are buying personal cars every month from our sweat. They can not say they do not have money when they are giving themselves $5000 every month. We are aware that they are offering themselves a weekly entertainment allowance of $500.” said the employee.

The member of the workers union also said last month the company upgraded the salaries of all female secretaries of the company’s senior managers adding that they were now earning more than reporters.

Last month the four top managers bought themselves top range of vehicles at the expense of worker’s salaries

By Staff reporter and agencies