In a world striving for progress and human rights, it is disheartening to acknowledge that the practice of slave wages still exists. Such is the case in Zimbabwe, where mine workers endure deplorable conditions and receive meagre compensation for their backbreaking labour. Mining is a vital sector in Zimbabwe’s economy and contributes significantly to its GDP. It saddens to always read about the mining sector’s gains whilst there is a deafening silence about the peanuts some mining companies are paying to their workers.
By Ndaizivei Garura
Remuneration in the mining sector as agreed between the Chamber of Mines and the National Employment Council for Mine Workers set the lowest-paid worker to earn $US 355. However, some of the workers who form the backbone of these companies receive wages below these minimum set figures, turning them into modern-day slaves. Many endure dangerous working conditions, inadequate safety measures, and long hours, while their compensation falls drastically short of a fair and decent income.
This becomes risky as some mine workers end up coming to work hungry or unfocused as they will be thinking about how best to fend for their families. It has been reported that in some gold mines, the workers have resorted to stealing the precious mineral from their employer as a way of subsidising their meagre earnings. Poor remuneration has promoted unethical behaviours which could easily be stopped by paying employees what they deserve given the huge profits realised in most of these mining companies.
Profiteering at the expense of employees has been rampant in the diamond mining sector. Recently, Anjin’s operations in Chiadzwa were affected by a strike as employees were demanding to be paid the minimum wage. Anjin is owned by the Chinese who have been known to disregard set wages whilst profiteering from cheap labour. The Chinese have a mentality that Marange is full of desperate communities that are a source of cheap labour. Anjin is well known for the ill-treatment of employees who in most cases have no alternative sources of income.
The employees had enough of the low salaries and put up a strike to show their level of dissatisfaction with the poor remuneration. They struggle to afford most of their necessities. The low wages being paid to mine workers in Zimbabwe often fall below the country’s poverty line. Mine employees face immense challenges in providing adequate healthcare, education, and proper shelter for themselves and their families. The vicious cycle of poverty is perpetuated as their limited income leaves them trapped in a cycle of poverty, deprivation, and exploitation. Mining companies practice a form of wage theft by paying slave wages to their employees. Many workers continue to face financial abuse and the mining law enforcers turn a blind eye to their plight. CNRG has researched the lived realities of slave wages from the mine workers in Marange, Hwange, Mutoko, Zvishavane and Mberengwa. The mine workers’ harrowing experiences require concerted efforts from the government and relevant stakeholders. The number of labour inspectors should be increased and penalties for violations should prohibit any employer from paying below the minimum wage. Mining companies must ensure that their workers are treated with dignity and receive fair compensation for their work.