Mining workers to push for wholly $US 700 minimum salary without Zig component

Staff Writer

Mining workers in Zimbabwe have vowed to push for a minimum monthly salary of $US 700 exclusive of Zig component.
In an exclusive interview with The Blast, Zimbabwe Mining Workers president, Kurebwa Javangwe Nhomboka said the year 2024 was a tough one for mining workers as they struggled to put food on the table among other challenges.
“We are going to advocate for better wages and working conditions.We will continue to push for fair minimum wage of $US 700 per month (100% US salary and no to Zig payment), safe working conditions, and an end to casualization of labour, which has left many workers vulnerable,” said Nhomboka.
Nhomboka said his organisation this year will also strive to ensure there is strengthening of worker representation, that there is promotion of industrial harmony,address safety concerns of workers, and will work with all stakeholders in the mining sector.

“In 2025, we are going to strengthen workers representation and therefore we aim to grow our membership and strengthen our influence in the mining sector, ensuring that workers’ voices are heard and protected.
“This year we have set our targets to promote industrial harmony, hence we believe that sustainable productivity relies on a workforce that is respected and valued.We will facilitate open dialogue between mining companies, workers and parliament representatives to foster a culture of collaboration and mutual respect.
“We will also work on addressing safety concerns of employees.We will continue to highlight the importance of safety standards and access to personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent injuries and fatalities in the mining industry.
By working together with stakeholders across the mining sector, we are confident that 2025 will be a transformative year for mining workers in Zimbabwe.As we step into 2025, our organization is committed to addressing the pressing challenges faced by mine workers in Zimbabwe.We forecast a year of growth, advocacy and collective action to improve the lives of mine workers and their communities,” he said.
Turning to challenges faced, Nhomboka said 2024 was a tough year for workers in the mining sector.

“Low wages and benefits were a significant concern, as workers struggled to survive on wages that fell short of supporting their families. The erosion of purchasing power due to inflation made basic necessities unaffordable”,he said.
Nhomboka said the issue of safety was a matter of concern as workers were exposed to dangerous working conditions.

“Precarious working conditions and safety concerns were also major issues. Many workers were exposed to dangerous conditions due to employers(Chinese being the biggest culprit)failure to provide proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),”

“There was also delayed salary payments added to the financial distress of workers, causing mental stress and domestic violence in mining communities,”he said.
Nhomboka said over 1000 workers lost their jobs in the sector due to casualization of labour.

“Furthermore casualization of labour and job Insecurity were prevalent, particularly in the lithium mining companies,gold and platinum, chrome mining companies , where over 1,000 workers lost their jobs due to short-term contracts,”he said.

Nhomboka said it was sad to note that some foreigners investors particularly the Chinese were deliberately violating the country’s labour laws.

“Foreign investors disregard for labour laws was another challenge as some investors deliberately violated. Zimbabwe’s labour laws, exploiting workers for their own interests especially the Chinese companies.

“These challenges highlight the need for improved working conditions, fair wages, and stricter enforcement of labour laws to protect the rights of mining workers in Zimbabwe,” he said.

The Zimbabwe Mining Workers head added:

“In brief,we had power outage and rising costs caused by government policies which are anti business, labour and eventually the burden is transferred to poor workers.

Nhomboka highlighted the various efforts they took to support mining workers in 2024.

“As a union, we supported various initiatives to mitigate the challenges faced by mining workers in Zimbabwe. Here are some of the steps we took:

“We advocated for policy changes through collaborations with relevant stakeholders, including the parliament, other trade unions, and civil society organizations. Our goal was to push for improved labour laws and regulations that protect the rights of mining workers.

“We also provided training and capacity building programs for mining workers, focusing on safety procedures, labor rights, and financial literacy. These initiatives empowered workers to negotiate better working conditions and wages.

“Additionally, we supported community development projects in mining communities, aiming to improve living standards through training and raise awareness to employees to provide alternative sources of income for their families.”

“Lastly, we are going to facilitate dialogue between mining companies, workers and parliament representatives to promote constructive engagement and find mutually beneficial solutions to the challenges faced by mining companies and workers.”
Nhomboka concluded the interview by stressing that if negotiations fail to yield the desired results, workers will withdraw their labour.
“If dialogue fails we will have no option except to use radical approach (stay away and protests) will be the order of the day.”