National

Hwange coal miner fires workers over salary dispute

Published

2 years ago

March 7, 2023

BY BRENDA NCUBE

A Hwange coal mining company allegedly fired about 50 workers, mostly drivers, after they protested against the unilateral reduction of their wages and poor working conditions.

Turbo Mining, which is linked to businessman Billy Rautenbach and operates in Hwange’s western areas, is said to have wielded the axe on the workers after they staged a protest last Tuesday.

The fired workers were allegedly removed from the company premises by security guards before they were summoned to appear before a disciplinary hearing.

Others said they resigned immediately because they did not believe in the fairness of the company’s disciplinary processes.

Workers are said to have staged a demonstration at the company premises after they realised that their allowances had been reduced to between US$170 and US$180 from US$230 that they had agreed with their employer.

Turbo Mining pays its workers a basic salary of US$86 334 and the US dollar allowances, but the disgruntled employees said their pay had been adjusted without their knowledge.

Charisma Alubi, who said he was one of the drivers that were being victimised for their role in the strike, told VicFallsLive workers were not happy with the way their salaries were being altered every month.

“Our salaries are being reduced every month,” Alubi said.

“We are not getting the amount that we signed for on our contracts.

“The money we are given is not enough.

“We have families that we are taking of. We also need to eat, pay rent and rates. We can’t work for free at Turbo Mine.”

Narrating events that took place on the day the workers were summarily dismissed, said Turbo employees staged a sit-in as they demanded to be addressed by management on the salary discrepancies.

“Drivers on night duty showed up for work, but we didn’t work and that was the same situation with the day shift drivers,” Alubi said.

“We asked for a breakdown of our salaries from the human resources department.

“However, we were chased away by security guards from the company premises and the HR department served us with letters to attend hearings.”

Another driver Norman Chiringa said the protesting workers were accused of embarking on an illegal strike.

“The charges being levelled against us are that we staged an illegal work stoppage after we asked the HR department to give us a breakdown of our salaries,” Chiringa said.

“We wanted to know why we got less than what was stated on our contracts.

“They couldn’t explain the discrepancies between what was on the contracts and the pay we got.

“Some of us resigned the next morning because we already knew the outcome of the hearing, which is getting fired.”

Some of the disgruntled workers claimed that the company fired mostly locals, who were immediately replaced by people from other provinces.

“The staff that has been fired is made up of mostly local residents of Hwange,” claimed Khumbulani Nyoni, a driver.

“After firing us they brought drivers from Chisumbanje and they treat them much better by keeping them on guest houses and they feed them daily.

“The management practices a lot of tribalism.”

Rautenbach also owns GreenFuel, which produces ethanol in Manicaland.

The fired Turbo Mining drivers claimed their employer also failed to guarantee their safety and health.

“Some companies test their workers for diseases caused by coal dust, but we haven’t been tested for a year and some months, we might be dying inside,” said Admire Nyathi, a driver.

“We have a colleague who got sick and went to Harare.

“The company has no clinic on site, no medical aid, even an ambulance to send those who get injured at work to the hospital.

“If you get injured at work you cater for your own medical bills and if you take long to recover the company fires you.

“The company managers don’t know how to run a mine. We do not get safety clothing on time and we run the risk of contracting pneumonia.

“The food we are getting is like that being fed on prisoners. If you ask about money you are called for a hearing and you get fired.”

Efforts to get a comment from Turbo Mining management were unsuccessful as their telephone numbers were being answered.

National

Mine Entra conference kicks off in Bulawayo

Published

5 hours ago

October 10, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY BAYANDA NKATHA

The 2024 Mine Entra conference has officially kicked off in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa expected to officiate the event.

The conference is being held under the theme “Unearthing Success: The Mining Value Chains, Innovation, and Industrialisation Nexus” and is expected to be a significant event in the mining industry.

President Mnangagwa arrived in Bulawayo on Wednesday afternoon, after attending the burial of national hero Colonel (Retired) Tshinga Dube at the Heroes Acre in Harare.

Mines and Mining Development Minister, Winston Chitando, will lead the proceedings, with the President expected to address the conference.

The Chamber of Mines is also expected to provide a comprehensive update on the state of the mining sector.

The industry is optimistic about the future, with mineral revenue, employment levels, and capacity utilization projected to increase in 2025.

The Mining Industry Prospects for 2025 report shows that mining executives are confident about the sector’s prospects.

“Mineral revenue is expected to increase by approximately two percent in 2024 and by around 10 percent to approximately US$6 billion in 2025 from about US$5.5 billion in 2024 on the back of improved output and some anticipated commodity price recovery in 2025.”reads the report.

Average capacity utilization for the mining industry is expected to improve, driven by key sectors such as gold, ferrochrome, and PGMs.

Employment is also expected to rise, with mining industry formal employment expected to increase in 2025.

The mining sector has also recorded a decrease in fatalities since the beginning of the year, with a significant reduction in deaths compared to last year.

However, the survey results show that there is still a need for safety and health at mining operations.

National

US$2 000 limit now in effect for departing travelers

Published

1 day ago

October 9, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

Zimbabwe has introduced a new regulation that limits the amount of US dollars travelers can take out of the country.

The new law, which was introduced by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) last month, reduces the maximum amount of US dollars that travelers can carry from US$10 000 to US$2 000.

This change is aimed at curbing the externalization of funds and maintaining foreign currency reserves, in an effort to stabilize the country’s economy.

The Bankers Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has warned that this restriction could disrupt the informal import trade sector, a key source of employment in Zimbabwe.

Despite these concerns, the government has proceeded with the enactment of the new regulation, which has come into effect immediately.

Travelers departing Zimbabwe are now required to adhere to the US$2 000 limit without the need for further authorization, or risk penalties under the Exchange Control Regulations.

The new regulation is part of ongoing efforts to regulate currency flows and stabilize the country’s economy.

It alters the rules governing currency export from Zimbabwe and sets new limits on the amount of both Zimbabwean currency and foreign currency travelers can carry without special authorization.

According to the amendment, the maximum amount of foreign currency that can be taken out of the country is now capped at US$2 000 or its equivalent in other currencies.

The BAZ has raised concerns about the potential economic impact of the regulation, warning that it could lead to a reduction in externalization of funds and disruption in informal import trade.

National

Government moves forward with new land policy, prioritizing indigenous control

Published

1 day ago

October 9, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

Zimbabwe’s 2000 land policy has taken a turn, prioritizing indigenous ownership and control.

In a landmark announcement, Information Minister Jenfan Muswere declared, “The government will implement measures to give security of tenure to every person and to alienate for value agricultural land… All land held by beneficiaries of the land reform programme under 99-year leases, offer letters and permits will now be held under a bankable, registrable and transferable document of tenure.”

Muswere emphasized that this new policy aims to address long-standing challenges faced by farmers, including access to finance and security of tenure.

He stated, “Our people are endowed with agricultural land resulting from progressive government policies, but they continue to grapple with difficulties in accessing affordable, appropriately structured and adequate finance for sustainable commercial agriculture.”

The policy prioritizes certain groups, with Muswere noting, “Priority will be given to veterans of the liberation struggle, women and youths.” He also highlighted that land tenure will only be transferable among indigenous Zimbabweans, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding the gains of the liberation struggle.

Muswere concluded by stating that these measures will have a profound impact on Zimbabwe’s economic growth and development, unlocking the full value of land and enhancing the performance of the economy.