EnviroPress Reporter
Over 300 workers at the RZM Murowa Diamond mine in Mazvihwa, Zvishavane district, Midlands province, have downed tools after going for two months without pay.
The workers declared a strike on Monday after tabling a string of grievances including unfair labour practices, lack of spares to repair broken down equipment, failure to provide company transport for employees, poor communication from management and delayed salary payments.
Murowa Diamonds, which is part-owned by RioZim, produced 419 042 carats of diamonds in 2022.
Workers say production could be scaled up if the company had a good equipment maintenance plan. They accuse the company of employing casual workers on short term contracts and dismissing them at a whim.
A list of demands sent to management, also includes “full payment of outstanding salaries and bonuses and on-time payment going forward; adequate provision of spares; adequate personal protective equipment; resumption of staff bus; timeous communication with employees; on-time payment of medical aid to avoid suspension as is the case in recent times and good corporate governance to stop the siphoning of funds.”
In November last year, the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Mineral Workers Union (ZDAMWU) criticised Murowa over salary delays.
The union said: “It is noteworthy that productivity by mine workers at Murowa Diamonds has been at full capacity with the company operating at full throttle. However, this has not translated to salary disbursements and other benefits for the workers.
“This clearly demonstrates that the welfare of workers is not a priority for Murowa Diamonds. What matters to them are profits generated from slave labour.”
On Tuesday, the workers said they were being threatened with loss of jobs by management.
Questions left for the company’s general manager Jonathan Mapisaunga had not been answered.
On 29 September, 2023, RioZim owner, billionaire Indian businessman Harpal Randhawa and his son were among four others that died when their light plane crashed in Mashava on its way from Harare to the mine in Zvishavane. ZimLive
