ZIMBABWE’S largest trade union federation says the workforce is under “siege” by politically-connected elites, military figures and foreign investors.
In an interview, Kennias Shamuyarira, secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU), warned that exploitative interests dominate industry.
“We are under siege from neoliberals. We are under siege from politicians who have become employers. We are under siege from scrupulous employers who are coming in disguised as investors, but are taking our people into cheap labour and slavery,” he said..
Shamuyarira singled out Chinese-owned Dinson Iron & Steel, accusing it of political protection while undermining workers’ rights.
“They are protected by politicians. We are told: you cannot recruit here, you cannot set foot there. Where are we going? This is going to be resisted, fought vehemently. There is no place that is untouchable,” he said.
Shamuyarira warned Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 development goal requires decent work.
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“A genuine upper-middle-income economy must reflect a decently-salaried worker in a safe environment,” he added.
Shamuyarira described a growing “political capture of the labour market”, where political and military ownership of mines, factories and farms shifts power against workers.
The accusations come as Zimbabwe courts foreign investment for growth. The ZFTU argues rapid expansion is unsustainable without robust labour protections.
Dinson has denied union accusations of allegedly underpaying workers and restricting freedoms, stating it operates within the law.
“But why is it that whenever these people want to speak ill of our company, the union representatives come during working hours to talk to the workers?” Dinson’s project manager Wilfred Motsi, said.
“Anyway, it is each worker’s own choice to join any trade union they prefer. Why would we prevent them from joining? They pay their union subscriptions themselves — why should we interfere? It is their right to join a trade union to represent their labour issues and their well‑being in the workplace.”
The union is preparing to escalate the issue internationally, highlighting tensions between development ambitions and workers’ realities.