…ZCTU president calls for action
RUTENDO CHIRUME
MASVINGO-Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president, Florence Taruvinga has challenged the government to take action against the continued abuse of mine workers in the country by Chinese employers.
Taruvinga made the remarks during the World Day for Safety and Health at Work (WDSHW) commemorations which were held at Masvingo Civic Centre on April 28.
WDSHW 2023 commemorations was celebrated under the theme ‘Safety and Health Work Environment A Fundamental Principle Right at Work.’
Taruvinga appealed to the Deputy Minister of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare, Lovemore Matuke who was the guest of honor at the WDSHW hosted by the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), to take action and address the issue of Chinese employers who abuse of workers.
She added that the Government risked workers taking the law into their own hands if the matter is not urgently attended to.
She said that NSSA should increase inspection on the Chinese owned mines and factories to the practice as Zimbabweans are treated as second citizens in their own country.
“We have serious safety deficits in Chinese owned companies and we are calling on NSSA to increase their inspection on these factories and stamp out ill treatment of workers by Chinese investors.
“My honourable guest of honour it is high time these allegations are addressed because we have so many reports on the issue but with no action being taken.
“We will be forced to take action against such ill treatment if nothing is done because we cannot sit and watch while we are treated as second class citizens in our own country.
“There are a lot of statues and legal frameworks on labour laws including the conduct and safety clothing but in reality workers this is not being practiced.
“A lot of issues are affecting employees but because of intimidation at the work place by our bosses we are not able to address those issues. It is however heartening to note that NSSA has adopted the International Labour Organisation (ILO) principle as its theme of this year’s celebrations and as custodians of occupational health and safety at the work place, it should prioritise the right to safe work place,” she said.
She also touched on the issue of employee remuneration and pensioners who cannot make a living out of their hard earned years of work from the meagre pensions they are getting from NSS, some as little as US$22 per month yet their money contributed to the construction of mansions and shopping malls dotted around the country.
Other guests who attended the annual event included ILO officer in charge for Zimbabwe and Namibia, Anna-Marie Kiyaga , Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Unions president Cecilia Alexander, Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions secretary general, Kenias Shamuyarira and Joe Kahwama of the Employers Confederation of Zimbabwe among others.
