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4,912 injuries, 76 fatalities recorded in workplaces in 2024
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The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has revealed alarming statistics for workplace safety in 2024, reporting a total of 4,912 injuries and 76 fatalities across various sectors. The labour federation is calling for urgent and robust measures to address the escalating toll on workers.
The figures were disclosed during this year's June 6 commemorations, which honour the victims of the 1972 Kamandama Mine Disaster, where 427 miners lost their lives in a methane gas explosion. The event serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for improved occupational health and safety (OSH) standards in Zimbabwe.
In a speech read on behalf of ZCTU President Florence Taruvinga, the union stressed that workplace accidents stem from multiple factors including human error, equipment failure, and hazardous working environments.
"In 2024, Zimbabwe experienced a concerning rise in occupational injuries and fatalities. It is reported that there were 4,912 injuries and 76 fatalities throughout the year. What about those accidents that went unreported? We cannot continue to suffer from workplace neglect without responsible authorities being held accountable," Taruvinga said.
The mining sector was singled out for persistent safety challenges, marked by unsafe shafts, frequent equipment breakdowns, and weak regulatory oversight that continue to claim unnecessary lives.
Agricultural workers, meanwhile, face exposure to harmful chemicals, heat stress, and poor living conditions — often without adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). The retail and commercial sectors also suffer from issues related to long working hours, job insecurity, and poor ergonomic conditions.
Taruvinga highlighted the plight of informal sector workers, over 80% of whom operate without the protection of safety laws, medical care, or recognized labor rights. Transport and manufacturing workers are similarly vulnerable, often forced to operate antiquated and poorly maintained machinery without proper safety safeguards.
"As the voice of workers, we clearly pronounce that enough is enough. We demand full enforcement of OSH laws across all sectors, establishment of functional health and safety committees at every workplace, and access to adequate PPE, occupational health training, and medical services for all workers," Taruvinga asserted.
The ZCTU's call comes amid growing concern that workplace safety remains a neglected issue, posing grave risks to Zimbabwe's workforce and undermining efforts to promote decent work conditions nationwide.
The figures were disclosed during this year's June 6 commemorations, which honour the victims of the 1972 Kamandama Mine Disaster, where 427 miners lost their lives in a methane gas explosion. The event serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for improved occupational health and safety (OSH) standards in Zimbabwe.
In a speech read on behalf of ZCTU President Florence Taruvinga, the union stressed that workplace accidents stem from multiple factors including human error, equipment failure, and hazardous working environments.
"In 2024, Zimbabwe experienced a concerning rise in occupational injuries and fatalities. It is reported that there were 4,912 injuries and 76 fatalities throughout the year. What about those accidents that went unreported? We cannot continue to suffer from workplace neglect without responsible authorities being held accountable," Taruvinga said.
Agricultural workers, meanwhile, face exposure to harmful chemicals, heat stress, and poor living conditions — often without adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). The retail and commercial sectors also suffer from issues related to long working hours, job insecurity, and poor ergonomic conditions.
Taruvinga highlighted the plight of informal sector workers, over 80% of whom operate without the protection of safety laws, medical care, or recognized labor rights. Transport and manufacturing workers are similarly vulnerable, often forced to operate antiquated and poorly maintained machinery without proper safety safeguards.
"As the voice of workers, we clearly pronounce that enough is enough. We demand full enforcement of OSH laws across all sectors, establishment of functional health and safety committees at every workplace, and access to adequate PPE, occupational health training, and medical services for all workers," Taruvinga asserted.
The ZCTU's call comes amid growing concern that workplace safety remains a neglected issue, posing grave risks to Zimbabwe's workforce and undermining efforts to promote decent work conditions nationwide.
Source - NewZimbabwe
