The General Secretary of IndustriALL Global Union, which has 50 affiliates in 130 countries worldwide, has expressed deep concern over the mistreatment of workers at Bikita Minerals, owned by Chinese investors.
In a letter addressed to Chinese investors, it is indicated that the unionists, who belong to the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU), were subjected to intimidation and harassment, including being attacked at gunpoint, on Workers’ Day.
According to a letter seen by Bustop-TV, the trade unionists were setting up a tent for Workers’ Day celebrations at the mine when they were violently confronted.
“I am writing to express our concern at the intimidation and harassment of five trade unionists from our affiliate, the Zimbabwe Diamond, and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU).
“The five trade unionists were intimidated at gunpoint, their tent destroyed, and chased away from Bikita Minerals on May 1st.
“One of the trade unionists, who was briefly detained and subjected to a humiliating body search, had her mobile phone smashed to the ground by the thugs,” General Secretary of IndustriALL Global Union Atle Hoie wrote.
The situation escalated further when “one of the assailants, who was carrying a gun, pointed the firearm at the unionists, while ordering them to leave.
“All this happened after the management at Bikita Minerals had said that ZDAMWU was not welcome to exhibit at the mine where the union has over 600 members.
IndustriALL Global Union is calling on the management of Bikita Minerals to respect national laws that include the Constitution and the Labour Act, which protect the rights of trade unions.
“Further, Zimbabwe has ratified the International Labour Organization (ILO)’s Conventions 87 and 98, which protect trade union rights to freedom of association, to organize and collective bargaining. Mining companies, including Bikita Minerals, must respect and not violate these conventions,” wrote Hoie.
Efforts to get a comment from the Bikita Minerals management team were not fruitful as their phones were not reachable.
The General Secretary of IndustriALL Global Union stated that respecting trade union rights is crucial for fostering better industrial relations at Bikita Minerals.
Chinese investors have become notorious for labor violations such as beatings, torture, gender-based violence, low wages, and a host of other labor violations.
Earlier in 2023, ZDAMWU expressed its frustration in a letter addressed to Minister Paul Mavhima of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare, citing concerns regarding the physical abuse and harassment of its members by Chinese employers.
“Mine workers are kindly requesting for a national labour inspection across all mines in Zimbabwe big and small, particularly Chinese owned mines,” reads the ZIDAMWU letter seen by Bustop-TV.
“Mine workers have reached a position that requires your intervention before the deteriorating working conditions and environment degenerate into chaos and labour unrest.
“Mine workers are very much frustrated and agitating for action if there is no immediate solution to all the stated issues.”
