Finding Workers
Finding the first workers was quite a challenging task. The strategy used was just to go around and asking anyone who seemed to meet the criteria. Then ask whether he would be interested to do farm work for K250 ($16) – K300 ($19) per month. But before that, request where made to the branch manager of a bus coach service that if he knows anyone who would do farm work payable on monthly basis. The manager said he knows someone who would not say no. Later the manager called, prior to reaching to the manager, two boys offered hair cut services. Initially refused them but them told them later.
Upon reaching to the manager, the worker that he knew was drunk and holding cigarettes. The worker was asked if he would work. He highlighted his terms and conditions (T&Cs). His T&Cs were that he would first ask his wife. He further said that he would need a signed contract with the government to show that he is employed in case plots where made against his life. He works from morning to 14hrs. Thereafter, he would go for a drinking spree. Whoever remains in the field that is his fought. This worker did not not meet the criteria even before hearing the price offered. The manager was informed that this one no.
After retaining from the manager, thoughts of seeing the barbershop boys where reached. He charged K8 ($0.5) for a hair cut. Loosing K8 towards gaining information on where to find workers maybe worthwhile. This is because workers are on the other side of the coin besides land. Though some people my think that obtaining land and keeping it like that it would gain value in a long run. Others would consider that using a piece of land would generate more value that just keeping it dormant. The later was the preferred option.
The proposal was presented to the barber man whilst he was setting up shavers, who then said that even him can do the work. The monthly prices were presented and agreed upon. Finding one worker is the a huge success, as it would mean that that same worker found would find as many workers as needed. For this first phase, two worker where opted for as this was dependent on the budget. Apart from that:
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 KJV
Pairs Of Workers
It was understood that placing these workers in an hierarchical structure would be a better management system. Hierarchy of authority is a military style of operations. So the first contact person would be the supervisor. It was a game of chance. This was without prior background checks of the would be supervisor. As of this writing, there has been four pairs of workers so far.
First pair of workers
The first pair of workers, the barber man who’s name was Moses also brought his uncle Mr. Peter to join him at work, worked well until they were left alone to manage the project. In this case, Moses became the supervisor over his uncle Mr. Peter. Due to the fact that these workers had no phones, refurbished MI smart phones were arranged and appropriate apps such as telegram were installed. This was for visual communications so that workers would share videos and photos to show progress. The then supervisor, Moses was most of the time requesting for money and advances on works that were not carried out. Also requesting for money for personal family issues of which many a time it was granted.
But the straw that broke the camel’s back was when he claimed to have lost a phone that was arranged for him. Then an immediate order was declared to terminate his job. All the tools that where in his possession where surrendered to his friend James who happened to be known before the workers were left alone. During the handover of the tools and items, it was discovered that the then Moses was careless and mismanaged resources. He broke the screen of the colleague’s phone. He had lost tools such as rake, pick mattock, sickle and rope for the well. That is how the project was suspended until workers wouldn’t be left alone to manage project. Like one economist said, farming is very hard when you are not there.
Second pair of workers
When certain things were in place, the friend to the first to Moses, James who was in possession of the tools was contacted. Previously he was working for some guest house. He was asked if he knew anyone who would be interested in farm work, he said yes. Then his friend Trust, was offered a job of which he accepted. Trust was then asked to look for someone to work with. At first he found someone but he was not available. So he again he recommended James, the person who was in possession of the tools and items. Because James was known prior to knowing trust, he was made the supervisor of the second pair of workers. The same James was the contact point when operations where halted. He also organized a room for rent.
The second pair of workers only worked for one night and two days. The first night was when they were receiving items that came with the bus. The next morning they were ferrying items to the site. Then at the site, the brick making machine was mounted. The following morning, some land clearing were done and the a test brick was pressed. But the mounting of the machine was not secured well enough such that it make cracks. Then it was agreed that the next day it would be remounted. On the next day, the workers had different programs. Their phones were either off or unanswered. It was then decided to find Mr. Peter, the uncle in the first pair of workers. But he was not home. So appointments were made that he should be waiting around 14 hours time.
Third pair of workers
On the same place the room was rented, a neighbour by the name of Mr. Lastone was offered a job. He accepted and said he how can he refuse such an offer? There is nothing to do here in Shiwang’andu. That is a phrase most people contacted have repeated. He added that he has a family so he is always looking for work. Mr. Lastone was equally asked to find someone he would work with. It so happened that his friend he was thinking about came. His name was Mr. Arnold. It was then agreed that the following day work resumes.
Since there was an appointment with Mr. Peter prior, he was contacted. Mr. Peter explained how he was working with Moses and explained that the young man was very hush on him. He refused him to contact higher authorities with saying such as what do you want to tell the authorities I am the boss here. Mr. Peter further explained that Moses mismanaged the resources and had the habit of retaining to the site after working hours. This he suspected him of stealing tools and selling them. Mr. Peter was interested in joining the work and was very happy to hear that he was offered the job back. But when it was updated to him that others where found, he asked if he would be placed anywhere. Mr. Peter was then placed the new supervisor. This was after it was observed that alpha male domination begun to brew. Then Mr. Lastone was second to Mr. Peter and Mr. Arnold was least.
During the work with the first pair of workers, the project to dig a well was initiated. But everything did grind to a halt after the termination of the supervisor then. So Mr. Arnold said that he does dig wells also and he was willing to continue. Resources required to dig the well were arranged and then he was asked to go down and continue digging. But before entering the well Mr. Arnold begun to shiver. He was then asked by Mr. Peter, ‘Daddy, have you dug a well before?’ Of which he answered, yes, yes very much. Mr. Arnold then said this is not his style of digging. Him he put steps in the well. Of which he begun to put hole on the walls of the well. He then said there is so much dust of which he requested that he would continue the following day.
The day following a meeting was held and he said let the one who started continue with the work. It was then ruled that Mr. Arnold should be fired because he caused the company to loose money on a task he would not do. Also, if kept around it wouldn’t be known how much more the company would loose on his lies. Mr. Arnold then asked for forgiveness and he was kept around for a moment. During his stay Mr. Arnold brought merchandise such as axe and an iron rod like a long chisel. The thing he claimed he used to hire for digging wells. Mr. Arnold further exhibited bad behaviour of which the supervisors advised that he should be laid off. He complained on his layoff and said K100 ($6) 10 days? Meaning that How can we pay him K100 for the 10 days he had worked? When he just worked about 4 days. A K50 was then added and laid off.
Fourth pair of workers
The fourth pair of workers begun with Mr. Peter and Mr. Lastone. Mr. Peter was the supervisor and seems to be running the affairs fairly. It was informed that Mr. Lastone was in most cases insubordinate to the supervisor. He begun to come late and sometimes miss work. Information came by that he was pushing for contract renewal with ZAFFICO. Therefore, a conclusion was reached that his contract be terminated by the 30th of October, 2022. Then Mr. Peter was requested to find a replacement. Mr. Peter found a colleague he once worked with at some other farm. His name is Mr. Justine. Just after he found Mr. Justine, Mr. Peter received news that his mother was very sick and needed to travel. Mr. Peter then traveled and Mr. Justine was left to handle the work. When leaving, Mr. Peter refused to be replaced with any one else. Currently as of this writing, it is desired that we work for a long time with this fourth pair of workers.
This has been the journey of finding workers in the the rural area. It would be nice to hear from you the best possible way of finding workers in the rural area. Leave a comment below.