Bulawayo (New Ziana) – MINING companies should take appropriate measures to
ensure their employees work under safe and healthy conditions at all
times.Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Workers’ Union (ZDAMWU) general secretary,
Justice Chinhema, said this during commemorations to mark International
Labour Day on Wednesday.This year, the industry held the commemorations under the theme Mine
Workers Empowerment and Right to Living Standards Commensurate to Value of
Work for Real Transformation.”Chinhema said at least one mine worker dies every week in the country, a
trend which is disturbing and which requires concerted efforts to address it by
stakeholders in the sector.“This is regrettable as it is expected that every mine should have the
appropriate measures and expertise to enhance health and safety,” he
said.
He said in 2020, at least 182 mine workers died from 116 mining
accidents.
The country, however, witnessed a decline in fatalities last year as it
recorded 139 deaths from 125 accidents by September 30, he said.
“It must be emphasised that fall of ground accidents remain the largest
category and the predominant cause of fatalities, followed by
transportation and machinery accidents,” he said.
Chinhema said the industry records more deaths from occupational
diseases than occupational injuries.“The health impacts are visible only long after the exposure, hence the
failure by miners to receive the immediate attention that they deserve,"
he said, adding exposure to silica dust was the main concern, as it
leads to silicosis, which causes lung cancer.
It also predisposes miners to tuberculosis, which has remained a major
challenge to the industry particularly when it combines with HIV and
Aids.Mine workers also experience noise-induced hearing loss, which results
in permanent disability and incapacitation, said Chinhema.
“We urge the Ministry of Mines and National Social Security Authority
departments responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Mine Health
and Safety Act to ensure the objective of zero harm is achieved, he
said.
Chizema urged the government to ensure that mining companies also
improve the welfare of workers since the industry is the backbone of the economy and a
major provider of employment.Turning to the forthcoming harmonised elections, Chinhema urged
political parties to desist from violence, saying peaceful polls would
attract the investment required for the country to attain a US$12
billion mining industry by 2023.
New Ziana
