Over 300 delegates for mines union congress in Bulawayo

Judith Phiri, Business Reporter

OVER 300 delegates are expected to attend the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU)’s second national congress in Bulawayo which kicks off on Thursday.

Scheduled for August 29 to 31, the congress will run under the theme: “Promoting Inclusive Building Union Power towards Unlocking Job Security and Transformation.”

ZDAMWU is a lobby group that promotes and protect the interests and rights of mine workers in the country.

Addressing the media on Wednesday during a press conference in Bulawayo, ZDAMWU general-secretary, Mr Justice Chinhema said members of unions from other countries across the region will also be part of the delegates.

“As the congress kicks off tomorrow (Thursday) 250 members of the union from all mines in Zimbabwe already confirmed their attendance. We also have over 60 delegates from local unions across all sectors in Zimbabwe and colleagues from mining unions across Africa,” he said.

He said from the region unions which will be represented by their president and general secretary include Mine Workers Union of Zambia, National Union of Mineworkers – South Africa, Namibia Mine Workers Union, Botswana Mine Workers Union, Ghana Mine Workers Union, Egypt Mine Workers Union and IndustriAll Global Union.

Mr Chinhema said the congress would formulate, adopt and ratify the policies of the union, including amendment of the constitution, ratify and adopt the five-year action and strategic plan 2024-2029 and plan future tasks of the union.

He said they would also ratify fees, subscriptions, levies and penalty fees, appoint internal auditors and legal advisers and confirm the election of the national women and youth executive committees.

Mr Chinhema added: “ZDAMWU and other unions from Africa are coming together to show their support and solidarity for the plight of mine workers, because the challenges miners face are more or less the same in each country. We are also seeking partnerships with any organisation that provides services to mine workers.”