Over 300 workers at the RZM Murowa diamond mine in Mazvihwa, Midlands province, have gone on strike after not being paid for two months. The workers officially began their strike on Monday, citing a range of grievances, including unfair labor practices, lack of spare parts for equipment repairs, absence of company-provided transport, poor communication from management, and delayed salary payments.
Murowa, part-owned by Rio Zim, produced 419,042 carats in 2022. The workers claim that production could increase if the company had a proper equipment maintenance plan. They also accuse Murowa of hiring casual workers on short-term contracts, who are easily dismissed.
The workers presented management with a list of demands, which includes the full payment of outstanding salaries and bonuses, timely salary payments in the future, provision of necessary spares and personal protective equipment, the resumption of a staff bus service, timely medical aid payments, and improved corporate governance to prevent financial mismanagement.
The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Mineral Workers Union (ZDAMWU) criticized Murowa in November for the delayed salaries. The union stated, “Despite the workers’ high productivity, this has not been reflected in timely salary disbursements and other benefits. This highlights that the welfare of workers is not a priority for Murowa Diamonds.”
On Tuesday, workers reported that management was threatening them with job loss. Attempts to get comments from the company’s general manager, Jonathan Mapisaunga, went unanswered.
