Chitando encouraged underpaid and abused mine workers to
report to the ministry for corrective action.
“On the issue of labour, let me put it this way. The
government came up with a responsible mining initiative, basically saying all
mining in the country should be done responsibly, observing the laws of the
country,” Chitando said.
“This is very important and these laws include employment
labour laws, selling products through approved channels, environmental laws,
the Lands Act and all those laws.
“We do have in terms of labours laws, among other things
from a remuneration perspective, the (National Employment Council) NEC for the
mining industry. The NEC for the mining industry is composed of employers and
the trade unions.
“The NEC for the mining industry meets to determine the
minimum remuneration to be paid to mine employees.”
The Mines minister said all miners must pay the minimum
wage with rare exceptions required to seek special exemptions.
“Every miner is obligated to pay those dues as agreed. If
anyone has incapacity to pay, there are provisions for that employer to
approach the NEC to seek exemptions, that’s the law.
“If any employee in the mining industry is being paid less
than the stipulated rates, they should report. The ministry of Labour has an
industrial relations department which is there in all provinces and districts.
They should go to the ministry of Labour and report they are being paid below
the NEC rates,” Chitando said.
This follows growing reports of labour malpractices
including physical abuse, payment of poor wages as well as non-provision of
protective clothing for workers particularly by Chinese investors as well as
artisanal and small scale miners.
In 2020, a Chinese mine director was charged with attempted
murder after shooting employees during an altercation in Gweru.
According to court documents, Zhang Xuen shot one of his
employees five times and wounded another at the mine during a row over
outstanding pay with workers.
Earlier this month, the government said it was
investigating human rights violations perpetrated by Chinese-owned mining
companies across the country.
In a letter dated October 6, addressed to the Zimbabwe
Diamond and Allied Union and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare
ministry, the government said it was partnering with the National Social
Security Authority (Nssa) to develop effective strategies to address the
matter.
Nssa inspectors are being deployed across the country to
check Chinese compliance with Zimbabwe’s legislation. Standard
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