Chinese diamond producer, Anjin Investments is the lowest paying entity among diamond producers in the country, the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) and Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Mineral Workers Union (ZDAMWU) revealed through a joint press statement.
Rudairo Mapuranga
According to the statement, Anjin has the lowest wages among diamond producers paying US$355 (65% USD and 35% RTGS), while the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) is offering the highest remuneration with the lowest earning around US$400.
“Diamond mineworkers earn wages that are below the poverty threshold. Until the recent strike, the lowest-paid Anjin Investment employee was earning USD180.00. Now Anjin has the lowest remuneration among the diamond mining companies, with the lowest-paid employee earning USD355.00 (65% USD and 35% ZWL). This is despite the fact that diamonds are sold hundred per cent in United States Dollars.
“Among the three diamond mining companies – Anjin, Murowa Diamonds and ZCDC, it is ZCDCwhich is offering the highest remuneration with the lowest earning around USD400. The National Employment Council (NEC) threshold for mine workers is USD350 per month. Diamond mining companies have resorted to paying NEC minimum salaries, and any attempts to demand a review are being resisted. This is regardless of the high value of diamonds and the role workers contribute to the high profits the companies are earning. Due to the low wages and short-term contracts, employee contributions to Mining Industry Pension Funds are insignificant.
“The slave wages being paid to diamond mine workers in Zimbabwe creates serious challenges for those concerned with responsible sourcing. Such extreme exploitation of labour is one of the key reasons why stakeholders are pushing the Kimberley Process to review the definition of Conflict Diamonds so as to include diamonds mined under inhuman and unfair labour conditions,” reads the statement in part.
The statement also indicated that the Chinese-owned diamond producer was bringing in a semi-skilled workforce from China thereby taking over jobs that can be done by local people in the communities where diamonds are being extracted.
“The majority of mining companies overlook local communities when recruiting employees. In Marange, companies are highly sceptical of locals whom they accuse of stealing diamonds if employed. Across the country, workers complain that Chinese-owned companies are bringing semi-skilled workers from China to take jobs which locals can do. A growing number of Chinese employees do not have legal requirements such as employment permits. They use corruption to regularize their employment whilst already working. This disadvantages Zimbabwe which has a highly skilled mining labour force and extremely high unemployment levels. At Murowa they are even hiring manpower from Namibia to take up jobs that can be done by our local people. What is disturbing is, local workers, have been terminated to create jobs for the Namibians,” part of the statement reads.