ZDAMWU Second Congress on the Cards
The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) will host its second congress at the Khumalo Hotel in Bulawayo at the end of August, according to the organization’s General Secretary, Justice Chinhema.
Chinhema stated that the congress, which will take place from August 29th to 31st, will run under the theme “PROMOTING INCLUSIVE BUILDING UNION POWER TOWARDS UNLOCKING JOB SECURITY & TRANSFORMATION.”
In a press release, Chinhema outlined the agenda and procedures for the congress:
“It is hereby notified that the 2nd Congress for the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union shall be held from August 29-31, 2024, in Bulawayo at Khumalo Hotel under the theme: ‘PROMOTING INCLUSIVE BUILDING UNION POWER TOWARDS UNLOCKING JOB SECURITY & TRANSFORMATION.’ The business of the congress shall be as follows:
– To receive reports from the General Secretary.
– To receive reports from the President.
– To receive financial reports and special reports from structures, namely women, youth, and regions.
– Review and direct the work of the National Executive Committee.
– Formulate, adopt, and ratify the policies of the union, including any amendments to the constitution of the union.
– Ratify and adopt the Union’s 5-year Action and Strategic Plan (2024-2029).
– Plan future tasks of the union.
– Ratify fees, subscriptions, levies, and penalty fees.
– Ratify the appointment of internal auditors and legal advisors.
– Confirm the election of the National Women and Youth Executive Committees.
– Elect members of the National Executive Committee.
Delegates to the congress shall include members from each branch of the union in good standing, National Executive Committee members, National Women Committee members, and National Youth Committee members. Local and international invited guests, corporate partners, the Ministry of Labor, and other stakeholders will also be present.
The following procedures shall be followed:
1. Each branch shall be required to submit names of their delegates to the congress on or before July 1, 2024, in a form that shall be provided by the General Secretary.
2. Nomination papers for contesting members shall be circulated by July 31, 2024, and contesting members will be announced before the opening of the congress on August 29, 2024, to allow them time to campaign.
3. It should be noted that this is our internal process as a union, and electioneering and speeches that divide members will not be tolerated.
4. Branches are to submit congress discussion documents that should be ready by July 31, 2024.
The discussion document should focus on the following:
– An analysis paying attention to the current challenges faced by workers at the mine level and emerging demands by workers that address bread and butter issues.
– An analysis of members’/workers’ expectations when joining the union, areas of improvement, and ways of attracting new members.
– How to deal with emerging unions, and measures to distinguish ZDAMWU from other unions in the industry.
– Skills gap and proposals on areas of interest when conducting training.
– A class analysis on the nature of the Mining Industry CBA, Code of Conduct, and the MIPF Act, with proposed areas the union needs to push for amendments, repeal, and other comments.
– Clarity on how the union can invest in women and young workers for growth, propose the immediate task of the youth and women structures in raising the class consciousness of young and female mine workers in our sector.
– Proposals on how the union can work in solidarity with local, regional, and international organizations, including civil society organizations, in building a grassroots movement towards control of the mining industry.”
The congress promises to be a significant event for ZDAMWU, setting the stage for the union’s strategic direction over the next five years.