Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
WORKERS at Anjin Investments (Pvt) Ltd, a diamond mining company operating in Chiadzwa, Marange, downed their tools on Monday, demanding a meeting with the company’s management over three months’ unpaid salaries.
The industrial action at Anjin comes amid challenging times for the diamond industry, following the recent retrenchment of over 400 workers by fellow Marange diamond producer, Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC).
This follows a devastating collapse in global diamond prices, leaving workers in shock and the future of the industry uncertain.
In a letter dated June 28, 2025, and signed by Anjin Investments manager, Mr Lin Wenwen, the company addressed the issue of outstanding employees’ US$ salaries for the months of April, May, and June 2025.
“This serves to formally advise all addressees of the company position in respect of the above matter. The company will continue to pay the ZiG salary component. You are therefore advised that the mobilisation efforts for the US$ salaries component for the months of April, May and June 2025 are still going on, which is involving engagements with our financial institutions and shareholders.
“Be that as it may, we confirm that the payment will be effected as soon as the funds are mobilised. It is also our belief that we are all aware of the difficult times the company is going through, and as such your utmost patience is kindly requested as efforts are being made to improve the situation going forward. We regret the inconvenience that this situation has caused on all and your services remain deeply cherished,” reads part of the Anjin Investments (Pvt) Ltd notice.
Anjin Investments (Pvt) Ltd spokesperson, Mr Special Matarirano acknowledged the authenticity of the notice to workers.
“Yes, that is a legit company communication, but what has it to do with the allegations of a strike? There is no strike here. I do not usually comment on false allegations. Our workers requested to see the mine manager this morning (Monday). They went into their meeting and parked the dump trucks. They discussed issues that relate to their working conditions that were not going in line with their expectations. It ended like that,” he said.
In response to queries from this newspaper, Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) said global diamond prices have declined significantly, and the company had to choose between ceasing operations entirely and maintaining a reduced level of operations until prices recover.
“Global diamond prices have declined significantly. Faced with this challenge, the company had to choose between ceasing operations entirely and maintaining a reduced level of operations until prices recover. We have followed all due processes, starting with voluntary followed by involuntary retrenchment. We hope to unite if prices recover in the market,” said ZCDC.
Reliable sources within the company revealed that ZCDC had initially offered a voluntary retrenchment package to employees willing to leave, and about 100 workers took up the offer.
However, the company subsequently embarked on a compulsory retrenchment exercise, resulting in nearly 300 employees being laid off.
When contacted for comment, Mr Kennias Shamu, the secretary general of the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions, the umbrella body to which the Zimbabwe Diamonds and Allied Minerals Union is affiliated, said: “The workers have legitimate grievances. They have every right to complain about non-payment of salaries, which is a fundamental concern. The management must resolve this matter by paying the workers what they are owed. This can be done through agreed-upon and signed part-payment arrangements.”
He also raised concerns about several other issues, including the recent death of an employee who had complained about a stress-related illness that was allegedly ignored by management.
“The worker sadly passed away and was laid to rest just two days ago. It is tragic that a diamond mining company earning profits in US dollars, and exporting its produce, cannot provide a safe and healthy working environment for its employees,” he said.
