Trust Rukwava
Centre News Hub
Hwange- Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Workers Union (ZDAMWU) has saluted workers across the country who have endured tough conditions with pride and purpose in a statement to mark International Workers Day Celebrations.
ZDAMWU marked May Day in Hwange under this year’s theme: Empowering Workers – Empowering Voices.
ZDAMWU, General Secretary, Justice Chinhema, said this day is not just a celebration as it is a reminder of a shared struggle, workers’ resilience, and their unwavering commitment to justice, dignity, and fair treatment for every worker in Zimbabwe’s mining sector and beyond.
“It is historic that this year, our union holds its main Workers Day commemorations here in Hwange for the first time. Hwange is not just a place – it is a symbol of the sweat, sacrifice, and strength of mine workers who power our nation.
Today, we honour you. We extend our appreciation to Lyeja FM for agreeing to celebrate their own achievements with mine workers today here in Hwange,” said Chinhema.
The Union said this year’s celebrations come at a pivotal moment in its journey after the union celebrated its hard-won inclusion in the National Employment Council (NEC) for the mining industry last year.
They said this was a milestone achieved amid competition from numerous longstanding and emerging unions.
“Today, we celebrate a significant impact of our inclusion in the achievement of our new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), now gazetted under SI 71 of 2026. This replaces the outdated 1990 agreement and introduces stronger worker protections across the mining industry. This is a victory born out of unity, persistence, and constructive negotiation. It is proof that when workers stand with a strong voice and engage meaningfully with employers, progress is possible,” added Chinhema.
ZDAMWU reiterated that through continued dialogue and partnership, much work still lies ahead to fully realise fair conditions across all mining operations.
“Fellow workers, as our nation aspires to become an upper-middle-income economy, the union stands firm on the issue of decent work and a living wage. Mine workers remain central to Zimbabwe’s economic lifeblood. As the engine that powers the extraction of our nation’s mineral wealth, they are essential stakeholders whose welfare must be prioritised by both government and employers. Mine workers must not remain poor while they generate wealth,” further affirmed ZDAMWU.
The ZDAMWU executive said they continue to lobby as a worker who cannot afford basic needs is a worker whose dignity has been compromised, and through their participation in the National Employment Council and dialogue with cooperating employers, they are continuing with their mission to ensure wages reflect the true cost of living.
“We reiterate our call in the industry for a minimum wage of US$650, reflecting the dangerous nature of mining work and the soaring value of the minerals they extract every day. We believe these targets are achievable through constructive negotiation and mutual commitment to workers’ welfare.
Further, as we are pushing to achieve this basic pay, we are also looking at other areas covered in Schedule F of the CBA to review upwards some of the allowances, as well as include transport and housing allowances to cushion our workers,” said ZDAMWU.
The Union said it acknowledges that this process might take a long but it remains confident that it will achieve this while acknowledging fallen heroes in the mining industry.
“Comrades, too many of our colleagues have not returned home from work. Too many families have been shattered by preventable accidents. Too many workers continue to suffer from occupational diseases that could have been avoided. The union’s position is that Safety in our mines is not negotiable. It is not a luxury. It is not a cost to be minimised. It is a fundamental right of every worker who descends into the earth or operates machinery to extract the wealth of our nation. Every worker deserves to return home alive, unharmed, and healthy at the end of every shift,” said Chinhema.
He said investing in safety is investing in productivity, and a safe worker is a confident worker.
“A confident worker is a productive worker. When management prioritises safety, they are not just protecting lives – they are building a more efficient, sustainable, and profitable operation. This is not a zero-sum game. Everyone wins when workers go home safely.
This means providing adequate and quality Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to every worker without exception, not as a favour, but as a basic requirement, and companies should conduct regular and thorough safety inspections with worker participation and transparency and implement comprehensive training programs for all workers on safety protocols, hazard identification, and emergency response
Installing and maintaining modern safety equipment, ventilation systems, and early warning mechanisms in all mining operations” said ZDAMWU in its clarion call for enhancement of safety standards in the mining industry.
The Union said it is ready to work hand-in-hand with management to develop and implement comprehensive safety programs.
