The demonstration by workers at Mazowe Bricks last week has been declared illegal by the Brick and Clay Trade Union of Zimbabwe. Workers at the Chinese-owned brick moulding company situated along the Harare-Bindura Road last week staged a four-day demo against alleged paltry wages and poor working conditions.

BCTUZ national organising secretary Mr Lovemore Daniel said yesterday that the demonstration was instigated by a wrong union, the Amalgamated Workers Union of Zimbabwe.

"We handle all the cases of workers in the brick moulding sector, including Mazowe Bricks.

"The AWUZ does not represent these workers at all as they contribute to our union. The workers also don't fall under the construction sector as alleged," said Mr Daniel.

He said the demonstration was illegal because the AWUZ should have first sought clearance from the employer and the police.

Mr Daniel said his union was representing workers at the Labour Court whose judgment was pending on non-payment of pay leave days by the employer.

"I can confirm that we have taken Mazowe Bricks to the Labour Court seeking payment of leave days.

"We understand that the employer has already started calculating the workers' dues despite the pending case at the Labour Court," said Mr Daniel.