By Takudzwa Changadeya
Workers for South Mining Mutagech, a coal-mining company in Hwange, have bemoaned their dismissal after demanding protective clothing last week.
They are saying the company’s decision was not fair and they will take the matter to the National Employment Council for the mining industry.
Talking to BustopTV under the condition of anonymity, one of the 25 dismissed workers said they were unfairly dismissed on Thursday last week by a Chinese supervisor.
“I believe we have the right to refuse to work under unsafe conditions but I am wondering now if it was wrong for us to exercise our right by demanding them to respect our right to safety.
“It wasn’t fair and we will make sure that justice prevails,” he said.
Another dismissed worker who spoke to this publication said they will fight for justice.
“We have the right to safety, we have the right to do whatever we did. So, I am one of those who are willing to take this issue forward, he said.
Speaking to a local daily newspaper, Solidarity Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Prince Mpala said the workers were unfairly dismissed and they are planning to take legal actions against the company.
“South Mining Mutagech (Hwange) dismissed employees after they demanded proper protective equipment and clothing.
“Twenty-five employees (were) dismissed by a Chinese supervisor while others were reinstated,” Mpala said.
“The Labour Act is very clear, thus section 104(4a). We are taking this matter to the National Employment Council for the mining industry in Bulawayo.”
Mpala said all employees, workers committees and trade unions have the right to resort to strike to resolve disputes with their employer and that it is the workers’ rights to demand proper clothing at work for safety.
Efforts to get a comment from the company’s human resources manager Kudakwashe Mutunja were not fruitful.
Mine supervisor David Wang reportedly told Mpala over the phone that the employees were deserving to be chased away because they were refusing to work.
“So, what were they expecting after their refusal to work? They were refusing to work and that’s why we dismissed them.
“You are not here and you do not know what is really going on,” he told Mpala in an audio recording.
