Avenues Clinic Retrenchment Sparks Outrage as Workers Offered ‘Peanuts’
The ongoing retrenchment exercise at Harare’s prestigious Avenues Clinic has stirred outrage among employees, with some workers claiming they will walk away with as little as US$750 before tax after years of service.
The job cuts, affecting at least 50 employees, come under the health group’s parent company, Medical Investments Limited (MIL), which says the move is part of a restructuring plan meant to safeguard the business.
Documents seen by NewZimbabwe show that retrenchees have been promised service pay equivalent to one month’s salary for every year worked, three months’ notice pay, accrued leave days, and medical aid coverage until December 31, 2025.
The payouts will, however, be staggered over six months.
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But workers say the packages are far from dignified.
“For those of us who only worked about two years on small salaries, the offer translates to just around US$750.
That is an insult,” one affected employee told this publication. Senior staff who served over two decades are reportedly set to walk away with around US$8 500.
The retrenchments mirror similar labour disputes reported in other top companies, with unions and civil groups raising concerns over the plight of ordinary workers.
According to NewsDay, labour analysts have often questioned why cuts mostly affect junior employees while executives retain hefty perks.
A formal retrenchment notice filed with the Retrenchment Board cited restructuring, outsourcing, and cost containment as the reasons for the layoffs.
Still, disgruntled staff accuse management of deliberately targeting lowly paid workers while protecting top management.
“This is daylight sacrifice of the small jobs. Executives pocket salaries and benefits that dwarf our entire retrenchment packages.
“Why not start with them if the company is struggling?” fumed another worker.
Efforts to get a comment from Avenues Clinic general manager Sibusisiwe Ndlovu and the hospital’s communications officer were fruitless as they ignored calls and messages.
