Mine Workers Union raises alarm over expatriate salary under-declaration

The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as a growing trend among mining companies to under-declare salaries and benefits paid to expatriate employees, as well as the actual number of foreign workers employed in the sector.

Speaking yesterday, ZDAMWU General Secretary Justice Chinhema said the union had received troubling reports from its members, alleging that expatriate earnings were being misrepresented - a practice that undermines local labour and violates Zimbabwean employment laws.

"ZDAMWU expresses its grave concern regarding the widespread practice among certain mining companies in Zimbabwe to under-declare salaries and benefits paid to expatriate employees, including the actual number of such workers employed at the mine," Chinhema said.

"Reports coming from our members of expatriate employees in the sector having their earnings under-declared is worrisome. This is a disturbing trend that undermines our highly qualified Zimbabwean workforce and violates our labour laws."

The union has called for greater transparency and accountability in the mining sector, urging authorities to investigate and enforce compliance with labour regulations to ensure fair treatment of all workers.