Air Zimbabwe will send most of its workers on indefinite unpaid leave starting next month, a staff notice currently in circulation has revealed. This comes as the struggling national airliner has been hard hit by travel restrictions worldwide which are meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Only ‘skeletal workers’ responsible for maintenance of equipment within the airline will remain. However, all employees will receive their April salaries.
The national flag carrier’s human resources department on Thursday advised employees of its intentions citing that the COVID-19 outbreak has hit the airline’s revenue streams.
‘The airline operations have been grounded 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 remunerations remains one of the biggest cost drivers within the Airline and without revenue inflows and external interventions, it will be a challenge to continue to fund salaries,’reads part of the letter addressed staff members.
‘Resultantly, our staff compliment shall be reduced and a skeletal staff identified by heads of departments will be in place to ensure adhoc operations,’ it further reads.
According to state-media, Airzim corporate affairs manager Mr Tafadzwa Mazonde confirmed the development but did not furnish the publication with the finer details of the development.
‘Numbers are still being worked out but quite a number will be affected especially non-technical staff since we have reduced operational levels,’ he said.
Source: iHarare