MARTIN MAWAYA
HARARE – The Labor Court has heard arguments in an urgent application filed by RioZim Limited against employees at its Renco Mine.
In the application, RioZim is seeking an order to declare the workers’ collective job action as unlawful and demanding they return to their workstations.
However, the workers, represented by the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZIDAMWU) secretary general, Justice Chinhema, argue that RioZim’s application is flawed and lacks merit.
The union contends that RioZim has failed to properly cite all the respondents except one employee, Jesitos Mureyi.
ZIDAMWU asserts that workers have a constitutional right to join and be represented by a trade union.
Furthermore, the union argues that the workers should be afforded the right to be heard before any disciplinary action is taken against them, citing the principle of audi alteram partem (the right to be heard).
The union also point to the broader context of economic hardships faced by Renco Mine workers, many of whom have gone without pay for extended periods.
They argue that “considerations of equity should compel the court to not only declare the job action unlawful, but also order RioZim to immediately pay the outstanding salaries owed to its employees.”
The workers’ legal representatives emphasized the devastating impact of “wage theft” on workers and their families, including children being forced to drop out of school and families relying on traditional healers due to lack of access to affordable healthcare.
In its submission, RioZim, represented by its general manager Irvine Nyamukondiwa, contends that the current unlawful collective job action has already resulted in thirteen days of lost production, leading to a loss of 1.01 kg of gold per day, valued at approximately US$80,896.46.
The company argues that the total loss for the thirteen days amounts to US$1,051,653.98.
Nyamukondiwa stated that the mine’s operations are currently impacted by low gold production, which has affected its ability to meet wage payment deadlines.
He added that the prolonged collective job actions will jeopardize the company’s commercial viability.
The Labor Court has reserved judgment in the matter, after both parties made their submissions.
