Mineworkers still suffering after 42 years of independence

ZIMBABWE  mine workers are still suffering and subjected to slavery 42 years after the country gained independence.

This is said by the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) secretary-general Justice Chinhema in a statement on independence celebrations.

He lamented the 42 years of mineworkers suffering in the country.

Chinhema said the black majority especially miners had their incomes reduced to nothing since 42 years after independence.

"The country on Monday celebrated 42 years of Independence from our erstwhile colonizers the British. Arduous was the journey which ushered in the dawn of a new era the black majority rule. The liberation was anchored on land, equality and for the black  majority," Chinhema said.

"Miners during the Rhodesian era, though were a vital cog in the economy, were not given what was due to them. Therefore, the dawn of Independence brought hope to the miners across the country that there will be an improvement in their fortunes."

He said it is sad that 42 years later, the struggles of the mineworkers are still the same.

"It is sad to say that 42 years later mine workers in Zimbabwe are not free and it is a lived reality that 42 years later after the country's independence, mine workers are amongst the most underpaid workers in the country working under very unsafe conditions," he said.

"This is despite the fact that mining as an industry contributes enormously to our economy."

Chinhema said miners are still in chains under new shackles of colonialism, Chinese looters and other mafia-like capitalists are still in control stating that they are in need of investment and investors in the mining sector, but the Chinese have fallen short of such a description of being investors.

He said ZDAMWU on this Independence day has noted that mine workers are still poor and oppressed despite being the major foreign currency earners in the country. We are still battling to get a living wage.

"We  are still crying for decent wages. We have said a mine worker must get at least US$600 which is not much to ask for considering how our employers are ranking in massive profits at the expense of our toiling. Most mines in the country do not have regard for issues of safety of workers at their workplaces. We are seeing a continuing number of mine related injuries and deaths," he said.