By Own Correspondent

Over 300 workers at the RZM Murowa diamond mine recently staged a demonstration against a two months long delay in salary payments.

Workers say production could be scaled up if the company had a good equipment maintenance plan. They accuse the company of employing casual workers on short term contracts and dismissing them at a whim.

A list of demands sent to management, and seen by ZimLive, also includes “full payment of outstanding salaries and bonuses and on-time payment going forward; adequate provision of spares; adequate personal protective equipment; resumption of staff bus; timeous communication with employees; on-time payment of medical aid to avoid suspension as is the case in recent times and good corporate governance to stop the siphoning of funds.”

In November last year, the workers’ committee criticised Murowa over salary delays.

It is noteworthy that productivity by mine workers at Murowa Diamonds has been at full capacity with the company operating at full throttle. However, this has not translated to salary disbursements and other benefits for the workers.

“This clearly demonstrates that the welfare of workers is not a priority for Murowa Diamonds. What matters to them are profits generated from slave labour,” one of the workers’ leaders said.