adminFarai Kuvirimirwa and Paidamoyo Nyakudzambara
Some 120 women besieged Arcturus Mine managers yesterday in protest over unpaid salaries and quarterly bonuses owed to their husbands.
The women pitched up at the Metallon Gold (Private) Ltd- owned mine at around 4am and forced six managers to enter the premises through a back entrance, while another identified as Mr Milton Murimirwa left for Harare.
When The Herald arrived at the mine, the women were being addressed by Goromonzi North Ward 14 Councillor Cde Gilbert Munjoma (Zanu-PF), who said they should disperse.
Workers’ committee chairman Mr Victor Zivanai refused to comment citing fear of victimisation and referred all queries to the women.
“We are suffering at home while the management is enjoying the New Year. We have no food at home and our children are being chased away from school for failing to pay their fees.
“Our husbands last came with salaries last year on November 28 and we were hungry on Christmas and New Year’s days because they were not given their quarterly bonuses dating back to April. Our husbands got US$50 in December and we cannot pay fees with that little money,” said Mrs Miriam Chikosha.
One employee said the management was getting full salaries and abandoning workers despite the latter meeting weekly targets.
“The mine produces a minimum of five kilogrammes of gold every week but they tell us there is no money for the 600 junior workers. They are buying expensive cars for themselves and taking some of the property at the mine in full view of us,” he said.
The employee accused management of not remitting pension dues to the National Social Security Authority.
Metallon Gold head of corporate affairs Mr Zenzo Nsimbi said Arcturus Mine was not operating viably at the mine.
“The mine closed and reopened last year because it is not making any profits and nothing has changed since then. We decided that the mine should stand on its own and hope that it makes money at the end of the day and produce a minimum of 31 kilogrammes a month which can make us pay them their salaries.
“We have to continue working until we get there and how can one expect bonuses when the company is incurring losses?” he said.
Online Reporter