Employees at AmeriWorld Mahindra Zimbabwe have gone without salaries for five months, leaving many struggling to survive. The situation has forced some workers into homelessness and made it difficult for others to afford basic necessities.
AmeriWorld Mahindra, a car dealership founded in 2012 and based in Harare, has been facing mounting frustration from its workforce due to the prolonged salary delays. A recent visit to the company revealed that many employees are unable to pay rent or support their families.
One affected worker, who spoke anonymously for fear of retaliation, shared that he and his family were evicted due to non-payment of rent.
“We are now living in a tent because we couldn’t afford rent for five months. I approached management to ask for assistance, but nothing has changed,” he said.
Another worker’s wife tearfully explained that their financial struggles have disrupted their children’s education.
“My eldest son missed his final exams last year. Now, he spends most of his time on the streets, and I worry he might fall into bad habits,” she lamented.
When contacted, Mrs. Shailet Chikowore, who holds multiple roles at the company, declined to comment and redirected inquiries to the owner, Mr. Sanjay Babbar.
Babbar acknowledged the concerns and stated that he would meet with the workers on Monday to discuss the issue.
The National Union of Metal and Allied Industries in Zimbabwe (NUMAIZ) has strongly criticized the company, calling the failure to pay salaries a violation of workers’ rights.
NUMAIZ General Secretary Henry Tarumbira emphasized that non-payment of wages is unacceptable, as it forces employees into financial hardship and disrupts children’s education. He encouraged workers to join unions without fear of retaliation, assuring them of the union’s support.
Workers are now urging authorities to intervene and help ensure they receive their overdue salaries.
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