Vubachikwe management, workers finally reach breakthrough

IN what is set to mark a turning point in the plight of workers of Vubachikwe Mine in Gwanda, the impasse between management and representatives of workers has finally been broken several months after an illegal strike that sent the machines going cold.

Following the illegal strike, where marauding thugs went on the rampage destroying equipment, a slew of hearings and legal proceedings commenced, which saw the rooting out of bad apples, most notably the incendiary former worker’s committee leader Mr Gibson Sibanda, who was at the forefront of dishing inflammatory statements encouraging anarchy.

Now safely away from the goings on and at the terraces, Mr Sibanda’s absence opened routes for workers and management to re-engage but after a strain, that was always going to be a tough call.

However, after several months, workers have resolved to elect a new representative in the ongoing engagements through the National Employment Council (NEC), where cases the workers had lodged against the mine management are set to be heard.

These include disputes on payment of salaries as well as payment of backpay by management to workers.

“The cause of the workers is solid. They are owed and management has always acknowledged that. The manner of engagement, namely the illegal strike and rioting of November 8 last year was what crippled an otherwise noble cause,” acknowledged mine manager Mr None Kananji.

“We have not been able to engage because there was a misunderstanding. Management felt the workers’ committee was not properly constituted following a withdrawal of services by the committee before they tried to unilaterally reinstate themselves which was obviously not legal,” he added.

However, it would seem after the dismissal of Sibanda, an air of common sense, genuine concerns for leading the workers and a commitment to resolving issues has started to prevail.

The workers appointed erstwhile workers’ committee representative Mr Datsun Chirwa, by overwhelming consensus, to be their leader in the ongoing impasse. If broken, an understanding on how workers will finally start receiving their owed moneys will be tabled and agreed.

Mr Chirwa is largely seen as one who uses analysis and diplomacy as opposed to rabble rousing as was the tactic of the erstwhile leader of the cause.

“We have a workout plan which we have put together spelling out among other things how workers will have their moneys paid out as well and the phased reopening of the mine. If the workers assent to the document, then we are set to go and we will certainly be past the worst,” said Mr Kananji.

Developed by expert consultants and with input from South African experts in consultation with local experts, the plan will finally see the reopening of the mine being a reality.

It would seem with the appointment by the workers of Chirwa, the mine has turned a crucial corner in diplomacy and there lies in sight the finishing line for what has been a difficult race for both workers and the mine ownership.