Staff writer
The National Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe (NMWUZ) has denounced the ‘abuse’ of workers by Chinese employers, citing the latest incident in Gweru where a worker was allegedly assaulted for demanding his outstanding wages.
NMWUZ has threatened to camp at the Chinese Embassy demanding investigations in the ill treatment of workers in the mining sector.
In an statement, NMWUZ president, Kurebwa Javangwe Nhomboka said the union was worried by such increase cases.
“As the National Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe (NMWUZ), we unequivocally denounce in strongest terms the barbaric, primitive and inhuman manner in which Chinese employers in the mining sector have for a long time been exposing to Zimbabwean workers,”read the statement.
“The latest incident occurred on 21 January in Gweru at Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments.
According to our sources at the mine , Kholwani Dube, an excavator operator demanded his $600 unpaid wages but was violently assaulted and treated to inhuman treatment as if he is an animal.”
“As a major trade union which represents the interests of workers in the mining sector, we find it mind boggling that the worker was violently confronted just for asking for his dues of which its confined within his labour rights.
We are worried that for a long time, local Zimbabwean workers, not only in the mining sector, but in other sectors, have been for a long time been treated as slaves in their motherland by these callous Chinese investors turned monsters.
“Following this unfortunate incident, we are calling on government and the Chinese authorities to make a comprehensive investigation on the issue and let the law take its course because the situation involving these Chinese investors has gone out of hand.
“As NMWUZ, we are going to exercise our freedom of expression and demonstrate at the Chinese Embassy in Harare, expressing our solidarity with local workers who are daily being abused by Chinese investors.
We demand an end to be inhuman and barbaric treatment by Chinese investors,”read the statement.
Authorities at the mine however accused the miner of being ‘violent’.
The incident has reignited debate over the treatment of Zimbabwean workers by Chinese investors, with critics accusing authorities of failing to hold foreign companies accountable for labor violations.
Police have not commented on the matter, and investigations are ongoing.