THE National Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe (NMWUZ) has petitioned Parliament for the alleged widespread labour and environmental violations at Chinese-owned mining companies operating in the country.
The union submitted the petition to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda yesterday.
The petition names more than 20 Chinese-operated mines accused of systematic violation of the country’s labour and environmental laws.
NMWUZ president Kurebwa Javangwe Nhomboka described what he termed as “slavery working conditions” at Chinese-run firms.
“We have instances where workers in the sector are being under paid, working under inhuman conditions. The Chinese employers in most instances do not give employees the requisite protective material, thereby compromising their health and safety — a yardstick (according) to Zimbabwe’s labour law,” Nhomboka said.
“What irks us most as a trade union is that there have been reports across the mining sector where workers are beaten, dehumanised, threatened and even killed upon asking for their wages dues.”
He said some reports indicated that mine workers were not allowed to join trade unions, in violation of international labour law.
Nhomboka called for urgent legislative intervention to address what he termed “blatant disregard” for both labour rights and environmental protection.
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“We are, therefore, urging Parliament to lobby for the crafting of a statutory instrument that ensures that Chinese investors adhere to local labour laws and also put an end to the rampant environmental degradation left by Chinese mining activities in communities,” the petition read.
The union accused the companies of disregarding environmental laws, resulting in widespread land degradation, water pollution, dust pollution and deforestation across mining communities.
The union said “dust from ore-hauling trucks smothers homes, water sources, crops and grazing fields” was creating health hazards and damaging livelihoods.
“Villagers, including children and pregnant women, are suffering from respiratory illnesses, livestock is dying and children risk their lives crossing roads clouded with dust.”
The Environmental Management Act provides for the prevention of pollution and environmental degradation, the formulation of environmental plans and adherence to standards, and the implementation of environmental impact assessments.
Zimbabwe’s mining sector has increasingly relied on Chinese investment amid economic challenges.
