Shock as mine workers get US$3,55 salary increment

By Own Correspondent

Workers in the mining industry were shocked to receive a US$3,55 salary increment for period running from July to December when the cost of living is spiralling.

The National Employment Council (NEC) for the Mining Industry, in a recently issued circular, raised wages by US$14,20 for the April to June period, from US$355 prior, taking the new minimum wage to US$369,20.

US$3,55 was added to the US$369,20, taking the industrial minimum wage to US$372,75 for the July to December 2024 period. Workers are demanding their minimum wage to be increased to US$600-00 per month to cushioin them from the vagaries of inflation.

Some unions in the industry are now up in arms withy negotiating parties at the NEC, which are the Associated Mine Workers Union and the employers for failing to recognise the need to consult other unions while demanding that the recently announced increment be revisited.  

Professional and General Mine Workers Union and other unions of Zimbabwe secretary-general Abraham Kavalanjila said the increment was an insult and a mockery to mine workers.

“Nec and AMWUZ plus Chamber of Mines did this outside the law. Mine workers are rejecting these peanuts. This is not a living wage, mine workers last had their increment last March 2023. Mine workers need US$600 for them to survive. Mining is the backbone of the economy. Remember, other unions were not consulted,” he said.