admin
David Shumba Herald Reporter
The National Union of Mines, Quarrying, Iron and Steel Workers of Zimbabwe, an affiliate of the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions says it is owed US$67 000 by mining companies in unremitted workers’ subscriptions. In an interview, the union’s president Mr Enock Sithole said the union was facing a lot of challenges due to failure by four mining companies to pay the union.
He accused Mbada Diamonds and Marange Resources, Pan African Mining and Vhumbachikwe gold mine of deducting subscriptions from workers’ wages without remitting the money to the union.
“These companies have not paid us anything for the past four months,” Mr Sithole said.
“We need the money to help us fight for workers’ rights and to sustain our operations.” He said Mbada Diamonds owed the union US$41 000, Marange Resources US$14 200, Pan African US$5 720 and Vhumbachikwe US$3 850.
This, the union leader said, was in violation of the Labour Relations Act.
Mr Sithole said unfair dismissals of employees in mining companies was now on the increase and plans were afoot to hold discussions with the companies on the issue.
“They are dismissing employees without taking proper procedures. We have a meeting scheduled for 20 June to discuss about the working conditions of workers in the sector with the companies,” he said.
Mbada Diamonds chief administration officer Mr Major Mhlangu, confirmed the non-payment of dues but said his company would resolve the matter soon.
“We just delayed but we are going to pay the dues,” he said without giving the reasons for the delay.
Officials from Pan African Mining, Marange Resources and Vhumbachikwe could not be reached for comment.
Online Reporter