The Supreme Court has ordered the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to pay contract workers for monies owed from 13 years ago.
The ruling brings an end the court case that has been dragging on since 2011.
The dispute arose after the Reserve Bank works council resolved that all employees were to be paid $500 for the period between January 2009 and December 2009. These amounts were paid when a dispute arose over the payment of salaries in Zimbabwe dollars during the hyperinflationary period.
The contract workers were not paid this amount with the human resources department arguing that they were not covered by the agreement.
After arbitration failed, the case has been in and out of both the high court and supreme court for the past 13 years.
In a judgement that was handed down last week, Justices Guvava, Uchena and Mwayera ruled that the Reserve bank and the contract workers must agree on the amount to be paid out within 30 days. If they do not agree, the matter must be taken to the labour curt for quantification.
The judges found that the word all should be interpreted literally to avoid absurdity.
