According to a letter dated September 12 to Cottco acting CEO Rockie Mutenha, found by this newspaper, the union accuses the employer of not paying expenses deducted from their salaries.

THE Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco) is alleged to have failed to pay union dues despite deductions from workers’ salaries.

The Cotton Marketing Workers Union of Zimbabwe, through their lawyers Masango, Seda and Mutema Attorneys, has written to the parastatal organisation requesting it to clear the payment arrears from 2022 onwards.

According to a letter dated September 12 to Cottco acting CEO Rockie Mutenha, found by this newspaper, the union accuses the employer of not paying expenses deducted from their salaries.

“We are aware that your institution has been properly withholding union dues but has not made these payments from 2022 to date,” the letter states.

“Therefore, an amount of US$432,408.83 in unpaid union dues has accrued, calculated from 2022 through June 2024. We are still awaiting the payment schedules for July and August 2024 from your office.”

The union also threatened to take legal action against Cottco if the company failed to pay the debt.

“We are further aware that you have previously made very unreasonable payment plans, which would require you to take three years to settle the amounts deducted and accrued over a two-year period.

“Our demand must be met by September 26 at the latest. If this does not happen, we will initiate proceedings before the competent court,” the letter states.

Attempts to reach Mutenha for comment yesterday were unsuccessful as his mobile phone remained unanswered.

Mutenha also did not respond to questions put to him at the time of going to press.

Recently, transporters took to the streets outside Cottco offices to demand their unpaid dues.

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