The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) has sounded a rallying call for transformation in the mining sector, using this year’s International Workers’ Day to demand an end to unsafe conditions, exploitative labour practices and economic marginalisation of mine workers.
Speaking under the theme “Empowering Mine Workers, Building Union Power in Unity and Shaping Our Future for Transformation,” ZDAMWU General Secretary, Justice Chinhema, delivered a strong statement on Wednesday, urging workers, employers and the government to recommit to the protection of mine workers’ rights and dignity.
“This year’s May Day celebrations come at a pivotal moment in our union’s journey,” said Chinhema.
“We celebrate our hard-won inclusion in the National Employment Council (NEC) for the mining industry…This marks a decisive shift in our ability to shape sectoral outcomes.”
Chinhema acknowledged that while the union had secured a modest wage increase, four percent for the first half of 2025 and five percent for the second, this was far below the union’s demand for a minimum living wage of US$600.
“Nonetheless, in the context of a global downturn in mineral markets, excluding gold, this result represents a strategic gain,” he said, pointing to broader economic challenges that have made wage negotiations more complex.
Despite these gains, Chinhema stressed that Zimbabwean mine workers remain exposed to dangerous working conditions, unfair contracts and chronic underpayment, issues he said should no longer be tolerated.
“We must remember and act on behalf of those who have paid the ultimate price in pursuit of a livelihood,” he said.
“Scores of workers have lost their lives in avoidable mine accidents over the years, while many more endure life-altering injuries.”
Recent figures underscore his concern. According to the Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines, fatal mine accidents have been rising sharply: 121 deaths in 2021, 179 in 2022, and a staggering 237 in 2023.
Chinhema described these statistics as “a stark reminder of the dangers and sacrifices made by mine workers every day.”
He added, “Occupational health and safety must remain non-negotiable. All mining operations, regardless of scale, must uphold rigorous safety standards.”
Chinhema also took aim at foreign mining investors, particularly Chinese companies, whose operations have been linked to labour violations, poor wages and disregard for local hiring protocols.
“While these investments have injected capital into the sector, they have also raised urgent concerns around labour practices, safety standards, and environmental degradation,” he said. “Economic growth must never come at the cost of human dignity and basic rights.”
Chinhema said the mining industry is a critical pillar of Zimbabwe’s economy, “contributing 70 percent of foreign direct investment, 80 percent to exports, 19 percent to government revenues, three percent to direct formal employment and 13.5 percent to national income, according to the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA).
“The sector formally employs over 50 000 people, with many more operating in informal and artisanal roles under precarious conditions,” he said.
Yet, Chinhema said this economic centrality has not translated into decent livelihoods for most mine workers.
“A decent wage is not a privilege, it is a right,” he asserted.
“Mine workers must be compensated in a manner that reflects the hazardous nature of their work and allows them to meet basic needs with dignity.”
ZDAMWU laid out several key priorities it is pursuing through the NEC, including:
“Ending labour casualisation: by capping short-term contracts that expose workers to long-term insecurity.
“Establishing comprehensive occupational health frameworks: addressing both physical and mental health.
“Building just and inclusive mining communities: by phasing out degrading mine compounds and advocating for decent housing.
“Fighting for a living wage: in line with the cost of living and the nature of the work performed.”
Chinhema said ZDAMWU was “not just here to speak” but “here to act,” declaring, “Transformation requires more than rhetoric, it demands structural reform, bold action, and long-term planning.”
He said ZDAMWU’s broader agenda includes pushing for job security, social protections, economic equity, and sustainable practices in an industry rapidly evolving due to automation and global market volatility.
“As we confront the challenges posed by modern mining, we must adapt strategically. Our union must lead the call for responsible mining practices that benefit workers, communities, and the broader economy,” he said.
As Zimbabwe marked Workers’ Day alongside the international labour community, Chinhema urged mine workers to unite, organise and build union power that can bring real change.
“Let this Workers’ Day renew our collective resolve. Let it inspire a new wave of activism, consciousness, and courage,” he said.
“We owe it to ourselves and to future generations of mine workers to create an industry that is equitable, resilient, and humane.
“Together, we can and must forge a path of transformation. Together, we say: Failure is not an option.”