BY PRAISEMORE SITHOLE MINE workers unions are pushing for US$600 salaries per month just like their peers in neighbouring countries.
Workers in the sector were recently awarded a 24.5 percent salary hike following collective bargaining negotiations. The increase will see the least paid employee earning $30 500.
After statutory deductions such as the National Social Security Authority (Nssa), Pay as You Earn (Paye) and others, mine employees end up taking home only $19 000.
Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Mineral Workers Union (Zidamwu) secretary general Justice Chinhema said they will address these challenges in the first quarter of 2022.
“We have challenged these issues before the labour court, and we want our members to tell us what we should attend to now. We need the workers to know what’s coming and they should direct us,” Chinhema said adding that the sector was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
“Workers want a living wage and we believe 2022 should be the year to achieve that through vigorous bargaining. We want mine workers to earn respectable salaries like other regional mine workers who are earning salaries in the range of US$600.”
He said as an industry they have raised concerns over the issue of taxes.
“Mine workers are heavily taxed and we shall be looking at it. This is caused by the two-tier payment system which must be addressed in the first quarter of 2022,” Chinhema said.
- 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
He said some of the demands by mine workers were that they want to be paid a COVID-19 allowance.
Workers’ unions have been complaining over taxation in the sector saying this leaves them with little disposable income, making it difficult to survive during the current economic hardships.
- Follow Praisemore on Twitter @TPraisemore
