The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) has escalated its calls for urgent government intervention to address the worsening humanitarian crisis faced by RioZim employees, who have gone without salaries for five months, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
In separate letters dated April 1 and April 4, 2025, the union appealed to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Hon. Moyo, and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines, Hon. Matangira, to take immediate action to alleviate the suffering of workers and their families.
The letters highlight the devastating impact of unpaid wages on workers at RioZim’s operations—Cam & Motor Mine (Kadoma), Renco Mine (Masvingo), and Murowa Diamonds (Zvishavane). General Secretary Justice Chinhema described the situation as a “humanitarian crisis,” with employees unable to afford basic necessities such as food, school fees for children sitting for national examinations, and rent.
“Workers are struggling to meet basic needs, leaving families in severe financial hardship and emotional distress,” Chinhema wrote. “The company’s cautionary announcements about potential investors offer no immediate relief, and our members are losing hope.”
Failed Promises and Systemic Failures
RioZim’s management has repeatedly extended unpaid leave, while a March 4, 2025, cautionary statement revealed ongoing negotiations with a lender and a potential investor. However, Chinhema criticized these measures as inadequate, stating:
“A month has lapsed since this announcement, yet workers see no light. The approach does not address their immediate plight. We fear this points to a collapsing company that will leave thousands without livelihoods.”
Calls for Government Action
ZDAMWU has urged the Labour Ministry to:
Provide emergency aid through social welfare, including financial payments and food hampers.
Facilitate dialogue between the government, RioZim, and shareholders to resolve unpaid wages.
Establish a task force to address systemic issues and prevent future crises.
In its appeal to Parliament, the union demanded that the Mines Committee summon RioZim’s shareholders to explain their plans for workers’ welfare and operational sustainability.
Chinhema emphasized the broader implications of the crisis, linking it to Zimbabwe’s economic stability:
“Our country’s resources must be protected from investors who sabotage development. Workers deserve safeguards to prevent such disasters. They are the backbone of our economy, and their dignity must be restored.”
Both letters conclude with a call for urgent action, underscoring the union’s reliance on government leadership to uphold workers’ rights.
“We are hopeful for your swift response,” Chinhema wrote. “Together, we can ensure these workers and their communities thrive again.”
As the situation reaches a breaking point, all eyes are now on the government to intervene before RioZim’s collapse triggers irreversible social and economic consequences.
