BY SILAS NKALA THE CHAMBER of Mines (CMZ) and Associated Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe (AMWUZ) have filed a challenge against the mine workers and the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Mineral Workers Union (ZDAMWU)’s application for review of wages.
ZDAMWU and mine workers recently filed a court application challenging the Chamber of Mines and AMWUZ proposal that their wages be increased by only 24% with effect from July 1, 2021, saying it was too insignificant.
They cited the National Employment Council for Mining Industry, AMWUZ and CMZ as respondents.
In papers filed last week, CMZ chief executive officer Isaac Kwesu said the collective bargaining process that ushered in the new wage increase was not reviewable.
“A decision which is capable of being reviewed by this court must be that of a judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative nature. In the present matter, the applicants are seeking the review of the collective bargaining process between 2nd and 3rd respondents (NEC and AMWUZ). This is not a judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative decision or process and as a result the application is improperly before this court,” Kwesu submitted.
He said if the court was to do so, it should first make a finding that the collective bargaining process was unlawful or invalid premised on any ground for review that the applicants have relied on.
He said the applicants should not have sought such relief.
“Accordingly, the application ought to be dismissed with costs on this ground,” Kwesu submitted.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
AMWUZ secretary-general Gideon Chirwa supported the CMZ submission and prayed for the dismissal of the application.
NEC announced the increment through a circular to mines dated September 28.
The increase in salaries saw the mine workers earning gross salaries of between $30 500 and $70 740.
Following the announcement, Allen Shoko, Philip Nyajeka, Gracious Sibanda, Mako Butau and ZDAMWU filed an application for review of the salary increase at the Labour Court.
The workers noted that the collective bargaining agreement of September 28, 2021 was irrational in that the mining industry had agreed in general that the wage negotiation should be quarterly, yet the statutes stated otherwise.
Follow Silas on Twitter @silasnkala
