NMWUZ Reject 7 Percent Annual Wage Increment
Staff Writer
The National Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe has raised concern over the recent decision where an agreement was reached to award a 7 percent annual increment to workers in the mining sector.
In a statement, NMWUZ , President, Kurebwa Javangwe Nhomboka said the agreed wage increment was far below their expectations which is a Povert Datum Line minimum wage of $US 1200.
Nhomboka said the agreed wage increment was shocking considering that the minerals exports were thriving at the international market where precious mineral prices like diamonds, platinum and gold among other minerals had picked value significantly.
Said Nhomboka:
“National Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe notes with great concern the wage increment.
Workers in the Mining sector were greatly in anticipation of a poverty datum linked wage of at least US$1200.00 for the lowest paid employee, but that was to no avail as only a combined 7% was awarded for the whole year.
“This insignificant increment took the minimum wage for the sector to US$410.00, recording an increment of less than US$20.00. This increment is against the backdrop of a thriving industry boasting of precious minerals like diamond,platinum and gold, just to mention but a few
“These precious minerals are fetching very lucrative prices on the local and the international market. More so the industry boasts of being the highest foreign currency earner in the country, making it a high productivity sector. ”
Nhomboka said workers in the mining sector viewed the latest agreed increment as an insult to their cause and aspirations as they felt that their sweat and hard work was not taken into cognisance.
“This time the increment has received a backlash from the workers who have been patient over the past years hoping that their industry would consider rewarding them commensuratly for their efforts they are putting in the success story of the industry.
“The promulgated wages came into effect from January this year and they are without any meaningful complimentary allowances like housing and transport which had also been anticipated to take effect this year.”
Nhomboka added that the latest wage increment is a betrayal to worker’s.
“For the industry, this year has already been done and dusted and whatever economic upheavals that may come our way during the course of this year, our fate has already been decided up December as we have to wait until next year for another wage review. For the meantime workers continue to suffer the brunt of a minimum wage which cannot sustain their families.”
Nhomboka said the National Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe outrightly reject the latest wage increment agreement which he says does not reflect the concerns of workers in the mining sector.
“As National Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe, we vehemently and outrightly reject the wage review outcome of 5% for the first half of the year and a further 2% for the last half of the year
. Our members deserve a decent wage especially taking into cognizance the high risks and work-related diseases associated with the industry.
“Our industry still has a lot to do to improve the welfare of the suffering mine workers.Considering the nature of the industry, we have to lobby for an industry medical aid scheme and the improvement of the pension fund. These proposals must come in after we have addressed the issue of a decent wage for the mine worker. Our union maintains its position of a minimum of US$1200.00 for the lowest paid employee.”
Nhomboka said it was disheartening to note that despite all the hard work and daily toiling within the mine industry, other workers in sectors were getting better wages.
“Other sectors like the banking, welfare and educational institutions are fairing better than our sector with the lowest paid employee earning around US$720.00 and US$420.00 respectively excluding housing and transport allowances.
The mentioned sectors have wages above our sector and also considering the fact that they are not in the productive sector. Over and above that, they have housing and transport allowances.”
Nhomboka concluded:
“We therefore as a union find one rationale in the Chamber of mines failing to offer reasonable wages to its employees. We will continue to make consultations with our members on the way forward regarding this wage review outcome.”
Workers told the media that they view this development as a betrayal of the trust by the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union and Associated Mines Workers Union of Zimbabwe whom they had bestowed on as their union representatives.
Another section of the workers opined that it was better for their representatives to declare a deadlock and have the matter referred for voluntary arbitration for determination.
“Some companies in the sector who are already paying above what was promulgated, there was no joy either as the dollar difference for the lowest paid has been pegged at only US$10 and such an amount has no significant bearing on the livelihood of a mining worker. The wage review outcome symbolizes a betrayal of the workers struggle thereby we reject the outcome with all the contempt it deserves,”said the workers in a media review.”
