By Rutendo Mapfumo
The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) inaugurated its Regional Roundtable Dialogue Meetings in Hwange last week marking a bold step in its campaign to champion the rights and welfare of mine workers across the country.
Speaking at the opening session, ZDAMWU Secretary General Justice Chinhema vowed to restore dignity and ensure fair treatment for mining sector workers, especially in regions facing harsh labour conditions.
“This engagement meeting is vital and we stand at a critical juncture, where both our achievements elsewhere and our struggles here, speak against each other,” said Justice Chinhema. “ZDAMWU is here to restore dignity to the working people of this region by providing efficient service and allowing them to participate in all the union’s activities and programmes. Members should have a say in our agenda for total control and influence in the industry.”
ZDAMWU’s recently elected leadership received its mandate during the union’s second elective congress in August 2024. Under the theme “Union Power in Unity for Sustainable Transformation,” the congress produced a five-year strategic plan. This plan enshrines ZDAMWU’s mission to be the go-to union for mine workers, focusing on promoting good industrial relations, sustainable sector growth, and an inclusive environment emphasising gender equality and workers’ rights.
ZDAMWU places strong emphasis on health and wellness initiatives. Chinhema highlighted ongoing campaigns for better workplace safety, wellness, and access to health insurance, and lobbied for criminal penalties for companies failing to follow safety protocols.
“Our union recognises the importance of mental and physical wellbeing of mine workers. We are investing in initiatives aimed at promoting safe workplaces and efficient health and safety policies at every mine,” he stated.
The union’s legal desk is now fully dedicated to defending member rights, from grievance handling at the mine level through to litigation when negotiations fail—an effort to overturn misconceptions about unions’ effectiveness.
The new strategy also emphasises building alliances with community organisations, civil society, and other unions, both locally and internationally. These relationships aim to amplify workers’ voices on broader socio-economic issues and exert greater pressure on employers and policymakers.
To keep members informed and engaged, the union is rolling out digital communication platforms that include online membership, reporting channels, and a grievance hotline.
Hwange hosts 23 mining operations and employs over 8 000 workers across major companies such as Hwange Colliery, Dinson Colliery, and Zambezi Gas. Secretary General Chinhema pointed to rampant casualisation of labour, unfair grading, unpaid allowances, and unsafe working conditions as immediate issues.
“Mine workers and mining communities require a dedicated voice. They face unique challenges and here in Hwange the situation is shockingly bad compared to other regions,” Chinhema emphasised. “We seek to build an environment where members feel valued, involved, and motivated to participate in union activities.”
Justice Chinhema reiterated ZDAMWU’s vision to be the union of choice—championing workers’ rights, fostering industrial peace, and driving sustainable transformation across Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
“We are building a united union that champions the rights of all workers through collective effort, resilience, and a shared commitment to justice.”
The Regional Dialogue Meetings are set to continue across the country, ensuring every mine worker has a platform for participation and advocacy in shaping the future of Zimbabwe’s vital mining industry.
