THE Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers’ Union (ZDAMWU) has lost connection with its narrow membership and is pursuing a selfish agenda with the incessant push for Corporate Rescue Program for the diversified mining company, RioZim workers have said.
ZDAMWU represents only 12 percent of the entire RioZim workforce.
RioZim workers are currently enjoying timely monthly salaries as well as back pays to clear outstanding dues, following the revival of the company’s operations and now fear that the push for Corporate Rescue would derail the ongoing successful internal restructuring exercise.
In an interview yesterday, Solidarity Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe (Somwuz) vice president Bruce Chabikwa said the current internal restructuring was the way to go.
“We sat down with our members, and their stance is that they don’t support the Corporate Rescue push, but they are in support of internal restructuring hence we stand by that position.”
In terms of membership, Somwuz has the highest number of unionised employees at both Cam & Motor and Dalny Mine – all RioZim’s gold mines.
“We are seeing progress as Renco has resumed operations and Cam & Motor employees are now back at work and we are informed start up preparations are visible notably dewatering of the pit has started.
“In terms of salaries there is a commitment that was presented to employees and copied to us which of late has been fulfilled, thus covering even employees who had contracts terminated last year,” Chabikwa further said.
Of late, RioZim successfully reopened Renco Mine following a landmark capital-raising exercise that provided the much-needed funding to restart and stabilise operations, settle creditor obligations, and ensure consistent payment of employee salaries.
Between mid-September and October this year, Renco Mine produced approximately 20 kilograms of gold, signalling a strong return to productivity and confirming the viability of its renewed operations. The restart has also safeguarded over 1,200 jobs, ensuring continued livelihoods for families and communities that depend on the mine.
In a tense exchange this week, RioZim workers confronted ZDAMWU frontman Justice Chinhengo on a WhatsApp group, inquiring whom he was acting on behalf of.
“The bottom line is that we are being paid our salaries, clearance of outstanding salaries is progressing well, medical aid and pensions contributions are being done. We are seeing progress, let this continue” said one frustrated employee.
In a furious response, Chinhengo lashed out and said ZDAMWU was not only fighting for salary payments.
“We want the salary plus many more. What have they put in place to address the causes that lead to the situation we find RioZim in from the past 5-7 years. What are their short, midterm and long-term plans for the mine, including job security and guarantee of salaries as it was before the situation.”
Chinhengo said the current RioZim has not put in measures to address long term employment opportunities for future workers.
“What are the plans for pensioners and those to retire. People are retiring in poverty. Check out the living standards of all those who retired. We have raised mismanagement issues – what have they put in place to address mismanagement in future including avoiding going back to the same situation.
“Lastly – how much capital injection have they put into the mine as capital to address the issues to do with production and others. Without these addressed – corporate rescue remains the only way out,” he further said.
However, the Workers Council Committees for both Dalny and Cam & Mortar claim ZDAMWU had lost its connection with the workers and was pursuing a selfish agenda.
“Their mandate is representing the workers views, not pursuing their own selfish agenda. As workers, we feel they gone rouge. We are contemplating revoking our affiliation to them.” Ends //
