Hwange Hosts Historic Workers’ Day: A New Era of Voice and Victory for Mine Workers

BY Nyoni Tatenda K

HWANGE, ZIMBABWE — On May 1, 2026, the streets of Hwange resonated with a renewed sense of purpose as the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) held its main national Workers’ Day commemorations in the coal-mining town for the first time. Under the theme “Empowering Workers – Empowering Voices,” General Secretary Justice Chinhema delivered a keynote address that balanced a celebration of recent legislative victories with a stern call for improved safety and a living wage.

A Milestone in Collective Bargaining

The atmosphere was celebratory following the recent gazetting of Statutory Instrument (SI) 71 of 2026. This new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) marks a historic shift for the industry, officially replacing an outdated framework that had remained unchanged since 1990.

Chinhema highlighted that this achievement was a direct result of ZDAMWU’s hard-won inclusion in the National Employment Council (NEC) for the mining industry.

“This is a victory born out of unity, persistence, and constructive negotiation,” Chinhema stated, noting that the new agreement introduces significantly stronger protections for workers across all mining operations.

The Fight for a Living Wage

Despite the legislative progress, the Union remains firm on its demand for a minimum wage that reflects the high-risk nature of the profession. ZDAMWU is currently pushing for a minimum wage of US$650.00, arguing that those who extract the nation’s mineral wealth should not remain in poverty.

Beyond basic pay, the Union is also targeting reviews of Schedule F of the CBA to include or increase:

• Housing allowances to cushion workers against rising costs.
• Transport allowances for commuting miners.
• Various risk-related allowances.

Safety: A Non-Negotiable Right

The address took a somber tone when discussing occupational hazards. Chinhema emphasized that safety is a fundamental right rather than a luxury or a cost to be minimized. He called on management to prioritize the early detection of occupational diseases—such as silicosis, tuberculosis, and hearing loss—through regular medical monitoring.

To ensure every worker returns home unharmed, the Union proposed a collaborative safety framework including:

• Quality PPE: Provided as a basic requirement, not a favor.
• Worker Participation: Including worker representatives in safety committees at every level.
• Transparency: Implementing reporting systems where safety concerns can be raised without fear of victimization.

Strategic Partnerships and Local Empowerment

In a move to amplify the “voices” mentioned in this year’s theme, ZDAMWU announced a strategic partnership with Lyeja FM. As a community radio station, Lyeja FM will now serve as a dedicated platform for worker education, broadcasting updates on legal rights, health and safety, and CBA developments directly to the compounds and communities where miners live.

A Call to Unity

Closing the address, Chinhema urged all mine workers—from the lithium fields to gold mines—to join the union ranks to strengthen their collective bargaining power. “The more united we are, the more we can achieve as a family,” he concluded, reaffirming ZDAMWU’s commitment to building bridges between management and labor for a sustainable industrial future.