WORKERS at Zimsona (Private) Limited in Zvishavane have filed a formal complaint with the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare ministry, accusing mine management of systematic intimidation and violation of labour rights.
In a document dated October 20 addressed to the Midlands Provincial Labour Administrator, the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZIDAMWU) cited supervisor Peter Tsikira and foreman Blessing Dube as respondents for allegedly engaging in unfair labour practices.
According to the complaint, the management threatened workers with dismissal for joining ZIDAMWU, forced them to sign letters renouncing union membership and repeatedly denied union officials access to their members at the workplace.
“The applicant believes that the three respondents are practising unfair labour practices, in particular, union busting, intimidation of workers, threatening workers for joining a trade union of their choice,” the document read.
ZIDAMWU general-secretary Justice Chinhema said the conflict escalated after over 100 workers joined the union and subsequently submitted grievances concerning underpayment, non-registration with the National Employment Council and National Social Security Authority and failure to provide adequate personal protective equipment.
“Management of the company has consistently threatened workers with dismissals — in particular, the 2nd (Tsikira) and 3rd respondents (Dube) — have gone a gear up, threatening those who have joined the union, including confrontations,” Chinhema submitted.
He further alleged that workers are being forced to sign fixed-term contracts when their employment is effectively permanent, a move seen as a tactic to weaken job security and union solidarity.
Chinhema cited sections of the Labour Act, arguing that the respondents are committing criminal offences.
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He cited section 7, which guarantees trade unions “reasonable access” to employees at their place of work and makes it an offence to hinder the enjoyment of such right, punishable by a fine or imprisonment.
He also cited section 8, which defines unfair labour practices, including any act that prevents an employee from exercising their rights.
The union is seeking several remedies from the ministry, including a declaration that the company’s actions constitute unfair labour practices.
When contacted for comment, Tsikira denied the allegations.
He claimed that the union officials gathered workers during working hours without consulting management.
“Would I block the workers from meeting union officials, as who? I have never done that,” Tsikira said.
“When they were asked why they were doing that, they started shouting at the management, but no one blocked them from meeting workers.”
He also stated that the company had not received an official complaint from the Labour ministry.
The respondents are yet to file opposing papers with the ministry.
