Former CIMMYT employees seek Mnangagwa’s intervention over alleged labour abuses

Former CIMMYT Zimbabwe employees are appealing to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to intervene after claiming they were unfairly dismissed and subjected to years of labour abuses at the organisation.


More than 200 workers are believed to have been affected since 2013, including long‑serving employees who say they were dismissed despite over a decade of service. The workers allege they were subjected to unfair labour practices, exploitation, discrimination and denial of labour justice, which they say were carried out under the protection of immunity granted to CIMMYT through the Privileges and Immunities Act.

According to the affected employees, the alleged violations include denial of the right to join trade unions, suppression of workers’ committees, non‑payment of overtime, wage discrimination, abuse of fixed‑term contracts, labour casualisation, non‑compensation of leave days and underpayment of terminal benefits. They argue that these practices violate Section 65 of the Constitution, which guarantees fair labour standards, safe working conditions, fair wages and freedom of association.

Several disputes involving former workers from Muzarabani, Harare field stations and the CIMMYT guest house are currently before labour tribunals under the National Employment Council for Agriculture and the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. The employees claim CIMMYT, through its lawyers, has argued before these forums that its immunity status, granted in 2013, shields it from being sued in Zimbabwean courts and tribunals.

Employees’ representative and Legal Aid Network director Collins Kasiya confirmed that immunity had been raised as part of CIMMYT’s defence, saying the matter was before the tribunal and he could not comment further.

The affected workers warned that allowing immunity to override constitutional labour protections would set a dangerous precedent and undermine confidence in Zimbabwe’s justice system. One worker said no organisation operating in Zimbabwe should be above the Constitution or beyond accountability, adding that Zimbabwean workers deserved dignity, protection and justice regardless of an employer’s international status.

They also expressed concern over similar allegations reportedly emerging from CIMMYT operations in Kenya, saying this raised broader questions about labour practices within some international organisations operating across Africa. Invoking Pan‑African values, the workers said Africa’s development agenda could not coexist with exploitation of African labour under the cover of legal technicalities and institutional immunity.

The employees said they appreciated President Mnangagwa’s leadership under the mantra “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo”, adding that true national development must include the protection of workers’ rights and labour justice. They are calling on the President, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Parliament, trade unions, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and regional and international labour‑rights bodies to intervene urgently and ensure that constitutional labour protections are upheld.

They also called for an independent investigation into CIMMYT Zimbabwe’s labour practices, protection of current employees from victimisation and full compensation for all affected workers. “An injury to one worker is an injury to all. African workers are not disposable. African dignity must be respected, and African justice must prevail,” the workers said.

CIMMYT representative Dr Mainnassara Zamon Abdul denied the allegations, saying, “We do not abuse people,” before ending the call.