ICEM Supports Zimbabwe Mineworkers in Valid Wage Struggle

The ICEM stands in strong support of its trade union affiliate in Zimbabwe, the Associated Mine Workers’ of Zimbabwe (AMWZ), as it starts a continuous strike today, 12 May, against the country’s Chamber of Mines. The strike is over fulfillment of badly needed wage increases, salary adjustments that were negotiated and agreed to in an arbitration award last year but never delivered.

“We find this strike justified because the mining sector in Zimbabwe has fully recovered, yet employers have reneged on agreed upon wage increases,” said ICEM General Secretary Manfred Warda. “We call upon the major mining houses of the world that have enterprises in Zimbabwe to intervene, and correct this injustice so miners can return to work.”

Some 25,000 miners struck about 45 different companies early today, shutting platinum, gold, coal, and other mineral production. This came after the AMWZ issued a 14-day intent-to-strike notice on 22 April, which was not inclusive of holidays or weekends. The Chamber of Mines did petition for a show-cause order from the Labour Ministry, but after two meetings, the Chamber’s offer of a US$9.50-per-month increase was insulting.

An arbitration award from third quarter 2009 should have meant a total salary increase of US$140.00 for the final three months of 2009, but employers refused to honour that award. For most of the 25,000 miners, no increase in wages has come throughout 2009.

The ICEM supports the AMWZ’s current wage demands of US$496 on top of miners’ total salaries, and urges mining houses to swiftly act on this in order to re-start Zimbabwe’s mining enterprises. As well, the ICEM is disturbed to learn that mining companies have neglected to remit contributions to the Mining Industry Pension Fund, monies owed to the National Employment Council for the Mining Industry, and to the AMWZ for subscriptions. This must also be immediately rectified, said Warda.

“Mineworkers have gone too long without salaries, and in some cases, have gone without any pay for months at a time,” added Warda. “In a country such as Zimbabwe, this is unconscionable and senior leaders of global mining houses must step in at once.”

The ICEM will closely monitor the strike and provide solidarity and support to the AMWZ through its President, Tinago Edmund Ruzive, and General Secretary, Joseph Midzi.

The largest company affected by the strike is Zimplats Holdings, a platinum producer with 5,000 miners withholding their labour. Other companies being struck include Rio Tinto, Aquarius Platinum’s Mimosa Investments, Metallion Gold, Duration Gold, Redaurum’s River Ranch mine, and Pan African Mining’s Maligreen gold mine, to name just some.