Diamond Workers Launch Strategic Plan to Advocate for Workers’ Rights and Industry Transformation
The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) has officially launched a comprehensive action and strategic plan focused on safeguarding workers’ rights and driving growth in the mining sector.
By Ryan Chigoche
This bold initiative comes at a critical time when Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth, despite being a key economic driver, has not fully translated into improved conditions for workers or sustainable development in the mining industry.
Zimbabwe’s mining resources contribute approximately 12% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and are among the country’s largest foreign currency earners.
However, despite this wealth, Zimbabwe’s mining sector has faced several challenges. Corruption, inconsistent policies, high tax rates, unappealing investment conditions, and rampant mineral smuggling have hindered the country’s ability to fully unlock the potential of its mining industry.
These issues have had significant implications for mine workers, who often endure poor wages, subpar working conditions, and eroded rights as the sector’s potential remains largely untapped.
In response, ZDAMWU organized its third regional meeting in Harare, where they unveiled their new strategic plan under the theme Adopting ZDAMWU Strategic Plan Framework Towards Inclusive Building Union Power and Securing Jobs and Transformation.
The meeting provided a platform for the union to outline the objectives of the plan and discuss its approach to tackling pressing issues facing workers in the mining sector.
ZDAMWU General Secretary Justice Chinhema highlighted the core goals of the strategic plan in his address. He emphasized that meaningful change and transformation in the mining sector require an inclusive, action-oriented approach that involves all levels of the union, from local sections to national bodies.
“For real change and transformation to happen in the industry, an all-inclusive action plan must be implemented at the section, mine, branch, regional, and national levels,” Chinhema stated, emphasizing the importance of collective action and collaboration in addressing the challenges faced by mine workers.
Chinhema further explained that the strategic plan aims not only to defend miners’ rights but also to transform the mining industry for sustainable development and fair treatment of all workers. The plan is designed to advocate for essential policy reforms, strengthen the bargaining power of the union, and ultimately improve workers’ livelihoods within the sector.
The five-year strategy presented by ZDAMWU is multifaceted, with initiatives aimed at achieving these ambitious goals.
At its core, the plan seeks to build union power through organizing efforts that will empower workers to advocate more effectively for their rights and interests. It also focuses on defending workers’ rights, ensuring access to fair wages, decent working conditions, and protection from exploitation. Additionally, the strategy promotes sustainable industry development by advocating for responsible mining practices, environmental protection, and long-term growth.
Another key element of the plan is the push for legislative and policy changes to make the mining sector more worker-friendly and conducive to long-term growth. By collaborating with government officials, industry leaders, and other stakeholders, the union hopes to advocate for sector-specific changes in laws, especially around taxes, royalties, labor rights, and environmental regulations.
ZDAMWU’s plan also emphasizes education and capacity building. Workshops and training programs will be organized for union leaders and members to enhance their skills and knowledge of industry practices and workers’ rights. This will equip union members with the tools they need to effectively advocate for themselves and their colleagues.
The union will engage both national and international organizations to bring global best practices into Zimbabwe’s mining sector, further strengthening the capacity of workers and their unions.
Additionally, the strategic plan includes a proposal to establish a miners’ welfare fund. This fund would support miners and their families during times of need, offering financial assistance in cases of injury, illness, or other hardships. The welfare fund aims to provide workers with crucial support in crises, enhancing the security of mining communities.
ZDAMWU’s comprehensive approach—combining policy advocacy, capacity building, and worker welfare—demonstrates a commitment not only to improving conditions for workers but also to transforming the industry into one that is more sustainable, equitable, and profitable for all stakeholders.