Zimbabwe's power utility has suspended 135 employees without pay for demanding the company's compliance with a voluntary arbitration ruling to increase workers' salaries.
ZESA had initially agreed to effect a salary increment for its employees but reneged, forcing voluntary arbitration.
Last week the utility's employees threatened to switch the country off in a bid to force the firm to implement the ruling by two arbitrators urging ZESA to hike workers' pay.
The employees are demanding an entry salary of $275.00 a month, up from $196.00.
Zimbabwe Energy Workers Union organizing secretary Joseph Charlie told VOA the suspension was mischievous and meant to scare workers from demanding what is rightly theirs.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe general secretary Raymond Majongwe condemned the suspension.