Locals Employed By Chinese Mine Owners Bemoan Poor Working Conditions

Workers in Chinese run companies are complaining over poor working conditions in Hwange. Image by allAfrica

BY LETHOKUHLE NKOMO | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | MAY 22, 2022

In most Chinese run companies in Hwange, there is no job security, while working conditions are deplorable and not in sync with what mining regulations provide for.

HWANGE (The Citizen Bulletin) — Malvin Moyo (22) was elated when he got a job at one of the Chinese mining companies in Hwange.

But his joy was short-lived, he confesses, citing the unfavourable working conditions.

“We work for long hours and we have limited time to rest. It’s even difficult to ask for a weekend off or just off days. You need to have a valid reason to convince the foreman because they have a target to meet.”
Malvin Moyo, 22-year-old mine worker

These are some of the challenges faced by most of the mine workers in Hwange.

While Moyo is complaining over poor working conditions, women in the coal mining town feel shut out from jobs in the mining sector.

Women’s rights groups say there are few opportunities for females compared to their male counterparts.

The Women Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCOZ) and the Hwange Young Women Forum say that mining companies prefer hiring males compared to young women.

“Young women are either given tedious duties or they have to go extra miles for them to get into the industries. It is therefore important to empower/mentor young women to fit in the industries.”
Lorraine Mubayira, Young Women Forum Chairperson

“Employers should not discriminate based on gender. If someone has what it takes to be employed they should employ. Employers also need to be transparent on their requirements for employment.”

Joyleen Chenge, the Founder of Hwange Women’s Foundation says mining companies must conduct practical interviews to prove that women can also perform the same duties as their male counterparts.

Young women seek equal opportunities in Hwange’s male-dominated mining industry. Image by Global Press Journal

“Although other companies have made an effort to employ few women, there is also a need for mining companies to employ women more as they are also capable,” she says.

Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) secretary general Justice Chinhema says the central government and employers in the mining sector have a duty to address the concerns of mining workers.

“We are cognisant of the challenges being faced by mine workers,” Chinhema says.

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Chinhema says labour laws must also be amended to protect mine workers from exploitation.

“The union is also committed to the emancipation of women both at the world of work and outside. We have recognized the challenges women face in general such as marginalisation when it comes to job opportunities, and this is what we want to be addressed by the mining companies.”

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