Mine workers slam Labour Act violations

THE Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) has decried casualisation of labour in the mining industry.

The union last week said employees were being engaged for several years on fixed-term contracts every month.

In a letter addressed to the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare ministry on March 2, ZDAMWU said the practice was being caused by the absence of set limits on the number of fixed-term contracts in the mining sector.

“The problem is emanating from the fact that our National Employment Council (NEC) has not set limits on the number of fixed-term contracts in the mining industry. Most employers in the mining industry are making workers sign consecutive fixed-term contracts on end,” the union said.

“There is no cap as to the number of fixed-term contracts a person can sign. Employees end up being engaged for several years, but being made to sign a fixed-term contracts usually every month, or if one is lucky, they get a three-month contract. This was never the intention of the Legislature when it provided for fixed-term contracts. Fixed-term contracts are mostly for temporary work, seasonal, or for a specific task. The mining industry is abusing this by engaging workers on short-term contracts, thereby destroying job security completely. How can a person work for one company for 10 years continuously, but remain a contract worker?” the union asked.

“However, as you may note, there is remedy provided for at law in case the specific industry NEC sleeps on the job. The honourable minister was given the powers to set the limits,” read the letter, which was addressed to Labour minister Paul Mavima.

The union said on December 10 2020, it wrote to NEC to look into the issue.

The NEC has not responded to the letter.

“It is high time the honourable minister exercises his powers and addresses this issue as soon as possible. The NEC has not touched its CBA [collective bargaining agreement] since its inception. It is outdated and this is the only remedy available to our members in the mining industry. We hope this matter shall receive the urgency it deserves,” the letter added.

In response to ZDAMWU, the Labour ministry said it was engaging NEC to find a solution to the problem.