THE Zimbabwe Diamonds and Allied Workers’ Union (Zidawu) has called for wide consultations before the proposed consolidation of diamond mining firms is done to avoid disenfranchising thousands of workers employed in the sector.
BY OBEY MANAYITI
Zidawu president Cosmas Sunguro told stakeholders during a capacity training workshop in Mutare early this week that discontent and suspicion had gripped workers in Marange over the move to merge mining companies.
The Ministry of Mines this week said Cabinet had approved the proposed merger of diamond mines into one entity as part of efforts to increase transparency and accountability in the sector.
“There should be dialogue between the mining companies, government and workers so that it becomes clear to the workers their future and intentions of the merger,” Sunguro said.
“The issue of having one company in Chiadzwa remains a mystery to us. There has never been communication on workers concerning the idea and that has created a lot of discontent and suspicious minds,” he said.
“We have tried to engage the ministry over the matter, but nothing positive has come out. The majority of workers are not sure of their future now.” Sunguro also expressed concern over the poor working conditions in Marange, saying it was important for the mining firms to respect the rights of workers.
Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (Zela) director Mutuso Dhliwayo said government through the Mines Act had been marginalising communities and other important stakeholders on critical issues in the sector.
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“Other stakeholders such as the communities, churches, civil society organisations and the media have a role to play on mining in Zimbabwe but they have been marginalised for a long time now,” Dhliwayo said.
“It’s only the government and the private sector that is recognised in the Mines and Minerals Act and that has caused a lot of mistrust because that marginalisation has serious impact on the affected.”
He said affected communities should speak for themselves so that they are not negatively affected by the decisions made on behalf of them.
The capacity building workshop was attended by several stakeholders including diamond firms, civil society groups, and communities surrounding Marange among others.
It was jointly organised by Zela and the Centre for Natural Resources Governance.
