In December 2023, the Harare-based blanket and bedding manufacturing company told workers to sign fixed-term contracts or face termination. The workers rejected the move, arguing that it violated Zimbabwe's Labour Act and stripped them of hard-won job security.

With support from the Zimbabwe Textile Workers Union (ZTWU), an affiliate of IndustriALL Global Union, the workers challenged the Waverley Blankets dismissals through arbitration and the courts. After setbacks, the union won the case on appeal at the Supreme Court.

Matika, Gwisai and Partners, the union's lawyers, argued that an employer cannot use a waiver to take away workers' rights and that any termination of employment must comply with Zimbabwean labour laws. They also argued that the workers never agreed to have their permanent contracts replaced with fixed-term contracts.

The court challenge was supported by IndustriALL.

Waverley Blankets dismissals pushed workers into hardship

For Emmanuel Chadiwa, the Waverley union chairperson who had worked at the company as a mechanic since 2010, the dismissal pushed his family into crisis.

"I last reported for work on 15 January 2024, when security guards told us not to enter the company gate. We returned the next day hoping the company would allow us back, but nothing changed. That is when we realised our fight for justice would take a long time,"

said Chadiwa.

"Life became very difficult. I had children in school and no money for exam and school fees. I survived by doing piece jobs offloading trucks, sometimes earning only US$10 a week, a fraction of the US$340 I earned monthly on the shop floor. It was painful."

"As a worker with a disability, losing my job changed my life for the worse. I was pushed into poverty and uncertainty, surviving on small piece jobs and living off the streets,"

said Matthew Ngwaru, former union vice chairperson at Waverley who has been with the company since 2009.

Supreme Court victory restores workers' income and dignity

Munyaradzi Jaricha, who worked as an internal security officer, said:

"Winning this case means justice has been done after the unfair dismissal we suffered. For over a year, we struggled with no income, but this victory gives us hope and proves that workers' rights can be protected when workers stand together with their union."

"Since 16 December 2023, I have been doing odd jobs and vending to feed my family. Without a stable salary, it has been difficult to pay rent and meet basic needs."

"The dismissal affected my family badly. We struggled to put food on the table daily. This victory brings relief because it means we may get our jobs back and provide for our families again."

Norman Makono, ZTWU general secretary, said the Supreme Court ruling was a victory for justice and workers' rights:

"Workers are celebrating this court victory while waiting for Waverley to inform them of the return-to-work date."

Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary, said:

"This is a powerful reminder that employers cannot simply dismiss workers with impunity. We applaud ZTWU for standing firm in defending workers' rights. It is however scandalous that the fees for bringing a case to the Supreme Court are so high that it is almost impossible for unions to do so."