The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare has moved in to address allegations of exploitation and slavery-like treatment of mine workers by Chinese-owned mining firms.
Rudairo Mapuranga
The move by the labour Ministry to address the allegations came after the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Mine Workers Union (ZDAMWU) wrote a letter seeking government intervention in the alleged ill-treatment of mine workers.
The Ministry of Public Service informed ZDAMWU that it is currently working with National Society Security Authority (NSSA) to investigate the allegations and it has also engaged the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to address the matter.
“The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare acknowledges receipt of your letter… Wherein allegations of rampant disregard of Zimbabwe labour laws were levelled against Chinese-owned mining companies operating in the country. The Ministry wishes to advise that it is currently engaging the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to comprehensively develop effective strategies to address this matter.
“The Ministry would like to highlight that it is working collaboratively with the National Society Security Authority (NSSA) to conduct workplace inspection across the country to investigate and check compliance by Chinese-owned mining companies to the country’s legislation,” the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare’s Permanent Secretary S Masanga said to ZDAMWU.