Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
MINE workers in Zimbabwe have demanded a minimum wage of US$650 in the industry, arguing that they cannot remain poor when they generate wealth, contributing about 14.5 percent to Zimbabwe’s gross domestic product (GDP).
The industry also accounts for 75 percent of national exports.
At the moment the least paid worker in the sector gets US$390.
Speaking at the Workers Day celebrations held at Hwange Old Ground on May Day, the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) general secretary Mr Justice Chinhema said mine workers remain central to Zimbabwe’s economic lifeblood.
He said as the engine that powers the extraction of the nation’s mineral wealth, they are essential stakeholders whose welfare must be prioritised by both Government and employers.
“Mine workers must not remain poor while they generate wealth. A worker who cannot afford basic needs is a worker whose dignity has been compromised,” said Mr Chinhema.
He said through ZDAMWU’s participation in the National Employment Council and dialogue with cooperating employers, they are continuing with mission to ensure wages reflect the true cost of living.
“We reiterate our call in the industry for a minimum wage of US$650, reflecting the dangerous nature of mining work and the soaring value of the minerals they extract every day. We believe these targets are achievable through constructive negotiation and mutual commitment to workers’ welfare,” said Mr Chinhema.
He said as they are pushing to achieve this basic pay demand, they were also looking on other areas covered in Schedule F of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) so as to review upwards some of the allowances as well as include transport and housing allowances to cushion workers.
The general secretary said they remained cognisant that the process might take long but were confident of victory.
The Union also called for improved safety standards at the workplace.
“Too many of our colleagues have not returned home from work. Too many families have been shattered by preventable accidents. Too many workers continue to suffer from occupational diseases that could have been avoided. The union’s position is that, safety in our mines is not negotiable. It is not a luxury. It is not a cost to be minimised. It is a fundamental right of every worker who descends into the earth or operates machinery to extract the wealth of our nation,” said Mr Chinhema.
He said every worker deserves to return home alive, unharmed, and healthy at the end of every shift. He called upon company management across the mining sector to make occupational health and safety their number one priority adding that investing in safety is investing in productivity as a safe worker is a confident worker and confident worker is a productive worker.
“When management prioritizes safety, they are not just protecting lives – they are building a more efficient, sustainable, and profitable operation. This is not a zero-sum game. Everyone wins when workers go home safely,” said Mr Chinhema.
The celebrations were held under the theme; Empowering Workers-Empowering Voices.”
