​By Own Correspondent

Over 500 workers at Rio Zim Limited run Reno gold Mine are on strike for close to two weeks over a two months’ salary backlog.

The workers have remained resolute, insisting they will only return to work once all outstanding dues are settled. The mine workers downed tools on Wednesday October 09 and held out for full payment of their three months’ outstanding wages before they could resume work.

Sources said Mine Manager Irvine Taurayi Nyamukondiwa was now playing the middle man role after the worker’s committee was dissolved last week through a vote of no confidence.

“We will remain resolute and this time we are not going to bend until we get our salaries, if the mine is not producing enough to cover salaries then why should they continue operating, let them close or sell to another investor.

“The current strike is different from the previous ones where we used to have the worker’s committee leading the negotiation. Now the manager negotiates with the head office and speak to the general workers,” one of the workers said anonymously.

Another source said two mine captains were chased away after they tried to access their offices as the workers called for a total shutdown except for essential services.

“We have closed down all offices, this is a total shut down and the message is very clear; if they do not pay our dues we are not going back to work. Today two senior employees were chased away after trying to get into their offices. We only allow the essential services to work like the clinic staff, sanitation and water treatment,” said the source.

Workers who spoke to The Worker on condition of anonymity said the mine is producing at least 10kg of gold every two weeks but the management is abusing the profits.

“An aeroplane comes to collect at least 10kgs of gold every week and they can’t afford to pay our salaries. They are clearly abusing the money or their priorities are misplaced,” said one employee. A similar incident happened in July 2022 after some 2 000 workers went for two months without being paid their salaries.”