Air Zimbabwe (UM) has embarked on a staff rationalization project to trim down its bloated workforce from 1020 down to roughly 300 as part of streamlining measures aimed at turning the loss making airline into a viable, profitable entity.
According to The Zimbabwe Independent, over 600 non-essential personnel have been sent on forced leave thereby leaving just 307 employees to form the basis of Air Zimbabwe's revitalized workforce.“… The company has had to send over 600 employees on vacation (leave),” said Air Zimbabwe public relations executive officer Shingai Taruvinga. “This company position has been communicated to all stakeholders including the unions with whom several consultative meetings have been held.”
Source [The Independent]
Board members at the Zimbabwean national carrier stated the reduced wage burden would help improve the airline's bottom line which, since 1998, has suffered considerably.
UM staff had in the recent years gone for months without receiving pay resulting in industrial action and legal cases pertaining to pensions and unpaid benefits.
