RioZim Drags its Unpaid Workers to Court Over “Illegal” Strike
RioZim Limited has taken its employees to court over what it says is an unlawful industrial strike, as the workers demand updated salaries, which were last paid in July.
By Ryan Chigoche
According to court documents, Rio Zim claims that its inability to pay its workers has resulted in 13 days of lost production, equivalent to a loss of 1.01 kg of gold per day, valued at US$80,896.46. This amounts to over US$1,051,000 in losses for the 13 days, with Rio Zim attributing the delay in wages to low gold production.
More than 1,200 workers at Renco Mine have been on strike since October 9, demanding payment of their outstanding salaries. Frustrated by ongoing financial instability, the workers voted to dissolve their Workers Council Committee through a no-confidence vote, accusing it of failing to represent their interests effectively.
Tensions escalated as management was compelled to vacate the mine premises and instructed to mediate the salary dispute with Rio Zim’s top management in Harare. The workers have made it clear that mining operations will not resume until their demands are met. However, essential services such as the clinic, sanitation, and water treatment have continued to function to maintain basic needs at the mine.
Rio Zim is now taking its employees to court over the “unlawful” industrial action, which it claims has cost the mine over US$1 million.
According to the applicant, the sit-in is unlawful because the company applied to the Ministry of Labour for a Show Cause order, stating that the workers must immediately return to work pending a disposal order, despite the fact that workers have not been paid since July.
The Show Cause order was sought on the grounds that the sit-in was unlawful, following the workers’ decision to dissolve the Workers Council Committee, which they felt was ineffective. Rio Zim argued that it had not received any notice of the sit-in and that it was not sanctioned by major workers’ unions, such as the Associated Mine Workers of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union.
The workers, who are the respondents, argued that Rio Zim is deliberately ignoring their plight, evading its legal, moral, and economic obligation to pay them fairly and on time.
The respondents further contended that Rio Zim’s application was defective, as the company failed to properly identify the respondents, instead referring to them as “Renco Mine Workers” rather than by their actual names.
This sentiment was echoed by the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Workers Union (ZDAWU), which argued that there is no respondent named “Renco Mine Workers,” rendering Rio Zim’s application improperly presented before the courts.
This is not the first time workers at Renco Mine have resorted to industrial action. Since April 1, 2021, workers have gone on strike annually over salary issues. In 2022, the mine’s parent company, Rio Zim, received a $19 billion investment from shareholders to stabilize operations; however, workers continue to face irregular salary payments and financial hardship.
The strike underscores the ongoing financial challenges within Rio Zim’s operations, despite efforts to revive the company’s fortunes. As the workers continue their strike, Rio Zim’s leadership faces increasing pressure to find a lasting solution to the labour crisis. The situation at Renco Mine remains tense, with workers vowing not to relent until their dues are fully paid.