As we have entered into 2026, as National Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe (NMWUZ), we would like to summarize and critically look into the challenges faced by mining workers in Zimbabwe in 2025.
We would also reflect on the successes we scored in 2025 and the course of action and activities we have planned for 2026 for the betterment of the mine worker who is still facing a myriad of challenges.
An evaluation of activities done by NMWUZ in 2025
The year 2025 was once again a difficult one and strenuous year for workers whose slave wages are still well below the Poverty Datum Line (PDL), making it difficult to fend for their families and cater for essential needs.The metal prices of minerals such as gold , platinum and chrome, nickel have risen on the international world market but the salaries of workers in the mining sector have remaining stagnant.Henceforth as NMWUZ we are demanding that the least paid worker in the mining sector ,gets $US 1 200…that is for a general hand who is the least paid employee in the sector.The salary workers in the mining sector is far much too low in comparison with their hard work and sacrifice they render to the capitalists employees.
On production bonuses , we are demanding an increase of 100 percent depending on targets set by companies.We have realized and researched that workers in this regard are sweating but their hard work has been in vain.
The issue of safety in working environments across the mining sector is still a matter of concern, particularly among virtually most of Chinese mining companies who are also violating local labour statues.
We are not however giving a blind eye on non Chinese companies for we have realized that there are some companies that are also violating workers rights.
Some local owned and foreign owned enterprises are violating workers’ rights and as NMWUZ we will be coming hard on them and ensure that workers’ rights are upheld and that their employees get a living wage.
As NMWUZ, we escalated the issue of Chinese violations of labour laws and not taking heed of environmental and safety regulations to the Chinese Embassy in Harare, but regrettably, we did not get any feedback.
We also escalated the matter to the Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, but again we did not get any feedback.But we are however grateful that through our efforts as a Union, the issue was raised by some legislators and the government itself.We hope that this year, something positive will be done regarding this issue.
We are also saddened to note that some Chinese investors were in 2025 not allowing workers to join trade Union organizations- which is a violation of their labour rights.We are calling on for government intervention on the issue because as a Trade Union we have at several occasions failed to have access in addressing workers at most Chinese mining companies.
The other impediment faced by mining workers which still remains unresolved is the casualisation of labour where workers are being coerced to sign short term slavery fixed contracts.
As NMWUZ we advocated for an end to this practice and we shall continue lobbying for an end to casualisation of labour, we feel tantamounts to slavery.We have also noted that these workers under casualisation are spending some months without receiving their wages and some of them even retrenched without receiving their dues.
We will continue to advocate and lobby for a redress through our arms of operation at workplaces.
In 2025, we noted that there was a need to revamp allowances given to mining workers such as transport and housing allowances.
We raised the issue through a letter written to the National Employment Council for the Mining Industry after noting that emerging mining companies were not paying employees transport and accomodation allowances, thereby creating a disparity in their earnings.
In a letter written to the National Employment Council we noted that owing to the technological changes and taking into cognisance the current year promulgation of our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), some jobs titles are not in the current (CBA) and thus requiring a complete overhaul of the positions and grades and this process needs a job evaluation exercise to be conducted by a separate committee.
We also noted that there is no paid educational leave and compulsory medical checkups for workers in dusty mining areas who are being exposed to toxic fumes and gases during the course of their work.We noted this to our letter to the NEC and we will continue lobbying for the situation to be redressed.
On home ownership schemes, our research has revealed that when a mining worker dies, he or she becomes a destitute because he/she wouldn’t have a house to leave to his or her dependants.
We are therefore calling on companies to formulate a policy benefit which ensures that workers have their own houses as that will assist their dependants when they pass on.This scheme must benefit workers from a lower grade.
We are also saying that companies in the mining sector must cater for school fees and stationery for miners beginning from the lowest level.
NMWUZ plan of action for 2026
(1) We will fully engage government and mining employers to ensure that working conditions of mining workers are improved and demand for an increase on their salaries and wages to grades above the PDL as mining companies are making huge profits but are reluctant to offer wages that are above the inflation rate.
(2)We will be lobbying for an improved safety environment in work places, particularly in small mining companies which we feel must provide essential protective equipment such gloves and masks to prevent respiratory illnesses.
(3) We will once again escalate and demand that most Chinese investors adhere to local labour statues, allowing workers to join trade unions and advocate that they respect local environmental laws as there is rampant environmental degradation in mining communities they operate.
(4)We will carry out a robust exercise that will entail that our members know their labour rights at their workplaces and avoid instances of victimization.
(5)We will carry out an extensive members recruitment exercise across the country as one voice of many, will make us heard.
(6) This year we are going to engage all stakeholders and we are looking for a win win situation where a mining worker gets what we have demanded as a Union.If that fails, we are going to use any possible means possible to be heard.
As NMWUZ in 2026, we will not tire until workers bread and butter issues are redressed.We say no to slave wages, no to infringement of workers’ labour rights, no to casualisation of labour and no to disregarding of workers’ health and safety!
Lastly may I thank the local media for the support they gave us in 2025 and we will work with this important stakeholder in 2026 for the betterment of the mining workers in Zimbabwe.
Kurebwa Javangwe Nhomboka
NMWUZ President.