A Labor Court in Harare Monday issued a show cause order mandating the suspended Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority workers to explain why the court should not take action against them.
ZESA made a court application seeking relief against 132 workers it suspended indefinitely without pay and benefits after they threatened to go on strike over a salary dispute.
Early this year the employees, who are demanding an entry salary of $275.00 per month, won a salary increase argument in a voluntary arbitration process but the power utility company has refused to affect an increment insisting it does not have the money to do so.
Labor Minister Paurina Mpariwa Gwanyanya recommended that the two parties seek an out of court settlement.
ZESA spokesman Fullard Gwasira said his company respects the country labor laws, adding disciplinary action would be taken against the suspended workers.
Zimbabwe Energy Workers Union organizing secretary Joseph Charlie said employees were demanding that ZESA should unconditionally lift the suspensions before they can officially engage with management.