Staff Writer
The National Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe President Kurebwa Javangwe Nhomboka turned 43 years on 1 October capping a feather on his dedication to trade unionism and his development oriented work in his ward in Mhondoro Ngezi.
Nhomboka who works at Ngezi Zimplats, a councillor in Mhondoro Ngezi and also a member of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) General Council started the year on a high note as he presented a petition letter to the Chinese Embassy in Harare, calling for the upholding of labour laws and urging for an end in gross workers rights being perpetrated on local workers by some Chinese investors.
The petition letter was served in February.
The move resulted in some government officials such as Youths Minister, Tino Machakaire and the general cotizens joining in the chorus of urging measures to be taken against some Chinese investors’ blatant disregard of local labour laws.
After getting no response from the Chinese Embassy on the issue, the fearless trade unionist and politician then penned a petition letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda urging the August House to craft laws that protect workers from abuse from some Chinese investors and also called for the protection of the environment left degraded by mining activities in communities.
The letter that was delivered to the Speaker of Parliament was delivered at Mt Hampden in September received massive media coverage, showing that Nhomboka was a voice of the oppressed worker.
“I am grateful to the Almighty for the life he has given me now that I have turned 43 years.I will not tire from representing workers and the community I represent in my ward.
I would also like to pay gratitude to the residents in my ward for the confidence they have shown in me and the opportunity they have given me to pursue development in my ward,” said Nhomboka.