‘Plight of mine workers worsens: Union’ 3 January 2024

THE Zimbabwe Diamond Allied and Minerals Workers Union (Zdamwu) says the plight of the country’s mine workers continues to worsen as some big mining firms shut down operations, while others downsize. Zdamwu secretary-general, Justice Chinhema said the situation is set to worsen this year following the introduction of new government taxes. “In 2023, mine workers endured a nightmarish year,” he said in a statement yesterday. “While some enjoyed festivities associated with Christmas, for some mine workers it was a miserable season devoid of any festivity as they endured a bleak festive holiday, which was mainly due to non-payment of December salaries, and non-existent bonuses.

…Chinhema said last year was characterised by underpayment of salaries, employers failing to timeously pay salaries and the majority of mine workers earning below the poverty datum line. Further, some employers in the industry failed to provide adequate personal protective equipment for their employees. “Job security for mine workers remained an issue, where workers were not only subjected to short term fixed contracts, but also long working hours,” he said. “Workers' salaries continue to shrink, the value of the USD (United States dollar) is being eroded and they are being robbed of their hard-earned income through heavy taxes, high bank charges and illegal unjustified deductions by some unscrupulous employers.

“The plight of mine workers continues to worsen. Zdamwu is concerned with hardships being faced by workers at big mining corporations such as RioZim, Cam & Motor Mine in Kadoma, Renco Mine in Masvingo, Murowa Diamonds in Zvishavane and the closed Dalyn Mine in Chakari and Empress Nickel Refinery who are earning staggered salaries month in and month out with no solution in sight,” he further pointed out. The secretary-general also expressed concern over 1000 workers of the closed Vumbachikwe Mine in Gwanda, Matabeleland South, who might all be jobless if action to protect the mine from collapsing is not taken soon…He said the country has seen the emergence of unscrupulous and corrupt investors who use “dirty money” to corrupt systems so as to operate below standards for profits without considering the safety or health and plight of workers.