BB, Wanderers taken to task

Push comes to shove. Be Forward Wanderers and Nyasa Big Bullets players have sought Football Players Association’s (FPA) intervention over the two clubs’ move to cut their salaries without consulting them.

Nomads players were deducted an additional 10 percent each from their salaries last month, taking the tally to 60 percent after initially agreeing to a 50 percent cut due to the effects of the Covid-19 on their sponsors.

On the other hand, Bullets players claim to have been deducted K40 000 each without being consulted.

FPA chairperson Ernest Mangani yesterday confirmed getting complaints from their members who play for the two teams, adding they have engaged the clubs.

He said: “The first step will be to find out why they effected salary deductions from players’ salaries without their consent and to highlight to them the need to respect labour laws and rights of footballers.”

Mangani said it is unfair for employers to deduct or reduce employees’ salaries without engagement or collective bargaining.

However, Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga criticised the players for what he called “involving a third party before exhausting the team’s internal channels”.

He said: “These players know the channels to follow within the club whenever they have grievances. It is surprising that they have taken the issue to a third party before it was brought to the club’s attention.”

But Chigoga declined to say the course of action the club will take on the players .

However, one of Bullets’ senior players who asked for anonymity, defended their move, claiming that their employers have not justified the move to cut their salaries.

“Up to now there has been no explanation from management on why our salaries were cut; hence, the move to seek the association’s intervention.

“We cannot suffer in silence. Already we are losing out on game bonuses due to the suspension of football and now our salaries are being cut without any explanation whatsoever.

“If at all there was a good reason, then management would have informed us, other than catching us unawares,” he said.

Speaking in his capacity as Nomads’ captain, Alfred Manyozo Jnr also said up to now, the officials have not justified the additional 10 percent cut.

He said: “They did not even have the courtesy to explain to us the reasons behind the move.

“Worse still, last week we asked them to withhold the salaries until we discuss the issue, but they went ahead to deposit the money into our accounts.

“So, in the meantime, I have asked the players to use the money for their needs as we push for a meeting with the executive committee. The situation is tough because a player whose normal salary is K200 000 is now getting K80 000. The situation has become tough for us.”

But Nomads chairperson Symon Sikwese pleaded for the players’ understanding, saying the issue is beyond their control.

“ [Our sponsors] Be Forward Limited  and gate collections are the only source of revenue that we have.

“Other than that, we have the SMS platform that is not generating money. We sympathise with the players, but we should all know that we are living in tough times and we have to make the best from the little that we have,” he said.