MUROWA Diamonds company in Zvishavane has been flagged for labour rights violations which include poor working conditions and non-payment of salaries.
This was exposed by the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) and Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Mineral Workers Union (ZDAMWU) in a petition challenging the company to address its workers’ grievance.
“CNRG and ZDAMWU have noted with grave concern ongoing labour and salary disputes which have culminated in the imminent downing of tools by mine workers at Murowa Diamonds in Zvishavane. It is noteworthy that productivity by mine workers at Murowa Diamonds has been at full capacity with the company operating at full throttle,” the statement read.
“However, this has not translated to salary disbursements and other benefits for the workers. This clearly demonstrates that the welfare of workers is not a priority for Murowa Diamonds. What matters to them are profits generated from slave labour.”
The organisations said investigations showed that workers at the mine were struggling to meet basic family needs such as buying food, paying school fees and covering medical expenses.
“In addition, we are equally concerned with the plight of female mine workers who become more vulnerable when working in such desperate conditions.
“We are aware that Murowa Diamonds is a member of the Natural Diamond Council, which aims to promote the positive and sustainable development of the global diamond sector. Certainly, such high standards cannot be attained when workers’ welfare is neglected,” the statement further said.
ZDAMWU and CNRG said it was their duty to protect the welfare of mine workers.
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“We will not rest until diamond mine workers at Murowa Diamonds, and other diamond extraction companies receive their dues on time and continue to advocate for standard working conditions, above-board collective bargaining processes, institution of works councils and general improvement in the operational environment for a conducive working atmosphere for diamond mine workers,” the organisations added.
Murowa Diamonds manager Munyaradzi Mungaraza mobile number was not reachable yesterday despite repeated efforts to call him.
The company’s general manager, Jonathan Panganai Mapisaunga, was not answering calls.
