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Spiked Online Media news crew sat with Kurebwa Javangwe Nomboka, president of the National Mines workers Union of Zimbabwe to understand working conditions in that sector.
Below, we share the interview:
1) Question – Who is Kurebwa Javangwe Nomboka?
Answer – I am a patriotic Zimbabwean family man holding an LHD operator in mining. I went up to the Ordinary level in terms of academics. For a career, I wanted to be a soldier or a policeman or hangman mainly because I wanted to shoot criminals (thieves, the corrupt, and all those that I believe must be eliminated from this planet earth because they’re unpatriotic, especially those that steel national resources) but my father was against the idea because he knew the system has loopholes
He was afraid that I might end up eliminating innocent souls, thereby defeating the intended purpose of eliminating criminals. He taught me (simudza Gumbo arizi rako ndere Zimbabwe) meaning my purpose is to serve Zimbabwe and not to enrich myself. He is my role model. I owe my life to him.
2) Question – What challenges are being faced by mining workers?
Answer – In most mines, there is no job security due to the fact that they use fixed renewable contracts (not permanent contracts). As such, there are deplorable working conditions that are not in sync with what the mining regulations provide for.
There are arbitrary dismissals without being brought before an inquiry to prove alleged wrongs. That is the order of the day in most mines. In most companies, workers work excessive hours without overtime being paid. Most mines don’t have best practices. They just follow what is provided in the regulations which leave most gaps and workers pay the ultimate price by working under compromised safety standards.
Workers are being paid below the poverty datum line in Zimbabwe. In most companies, workers do not have the right to form workers’ committees of their choices, and those who have worker’s committees don’t have employee-driven constitutions to regulate the executives’ conduct.
Most mines workers do not have the freedom to join trade unions except a few big mines that allow their workers to form, or join unions at will without victimization. I appreciate and applaud them to continue to shine. The more they allow the workers to enjoy these freedoms, the more they are creating a safer working and productive environment because they are opening space for engagement within the working stations.
3) Question – How are Chinese mining companies treating workers?
Answer – Most Chinese mining companies don’t follow safety, environmental standards, regulations, and rules. Most employees are not properly graded. The Chinese pay their employees way below the National Employment Council (NEC) minimum wage. Their employees work long hours. There are no overtime or holidays. They treat every day as a working day. They don’t remit dues to NSSA, Mining Industry Pension Fund (MIPF), or even to unions monthly subscriptions.
Workers at Chinese-owned companies are facing serious victimization. They have barred the right to form worker’s committees and rights to join unions.
Chinese mine owners are above the laws of this land. They use their networks with powerful politicians to trample down upon the rights of workers. Even if you take them to court and they lose the case, they won’t implement court orders. There is a poor mode of underground transport in the mines. Some use containers without even air vents like they’re transporting bread. They don’t provide decent accommodation or alternative adequate housing allowances. They don’t pay overtime and allowances. Chinese mining companies do not insure employees (medical, funeral) policies that benefit employees. They have none.
(4) Question – Why do you think workers must get bonuses?
Answer – Bonuses boost the morale of workers, most of whom are heavily indebted because the government is overtaxing the poor employees. Most companies are paying below the poverty datum line hence there is a need for an additional income to cushion the employees. The risky working conditions cannot be ignored. There is a need for NEC to introduce Covid-19 allowances as well because the mining industry is regarded as an essential service but the miners are not getting Covid-19 allowances.
5) Question – As a union what are your successes?
Answer – The biggest success as a union is that we exist. We’re the voice of the voiceless. We represent workers at workstation levels (hearings and works council levels) where we reach 50% of the membership. We are increasing in number. we’re now slightly above 3000 with new members joining en masse.
6) Question – What is your assessment of existing policies and laws in mining sector?
Answer – Labor Laws need to be aligned with the new constitution. The Kadoma declaration should be signed into law. The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is outdated. It needs overhaul i.e. jobs need to be evaluated from grade 1 to 14 because it’s a 1990 document. We now have a different setup in everything: safety standards and procedures, designs of the mines changes, the equipment used to extract and now we are using different machines i.e. they were using jackhammers in 1990 now we are using drill rigs, etc.
7) Question – What do you think the government should do to improve the welfare of mining workers in Zimbabwe?
Answer – Mining workers must be paid in USD. Mining is the backbone of our economy. Workers must benefit from their labour. Government must put safety net’s to protect workers’ rights from being violated, especially by foreign mining companies, mostly the Chinese who seem to be immune from our law’s as the government is reluctant to intervene. Workers must be awarded a fraction of the profits for them to enjoy the fruits of their labuor. Mining workers must be given free duty and accessible mortgages at zero deposits.
8) Question – What do you think should be copied by government from other countries doing well in mining?
Answer – Government should emulate the recognition of labour rights, safety, environment enforcement regulations, standards, and procedures as well as laws. We need the depolitisization of labor issues. Unionists must never be regarded as enemies of the state. They should be another arm of government empowered to deal with issues in different sectors.
The government should ensure that there is job security, pension funds, affordable, flexible home ownership schemes, living wages and meaningful retirement packages.
Plough back to the community’s must be enforced on mining companies. The government must have zero tolerance for corruption, especially in awarding mining rights so that the nation benefits more from mineral resources explored.