Fredrick Moyo
Fish industry workers are incapacitated as they are facing a number of difficulties among them non-payment of wages, low wages and also high inflation just like any other Zimbabwean, a workers union has said.
The Federation of Food and Allied Workers Union of Zimbabwe (FFAWUZ) General Secretary and The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) First Deputy Secretary General Runesu Dzimiri made the remark in Iceland where he presented on issues affecting workers in Seafood industry under the theme: Claiming workers’ Rights: Fighting for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Speaking at the event Dzimiri said fish industry workers are suffering to make ends meet as they are affected by poor protective clothing; low wages compared way below the Poverty Datum Line (PDL), inflation and also casualization of labour.
“Workers in the industry, just like any other Zimbabwean are suffering from high inflation (230percent by January 2023); low wages compared to the Poverty Datum Line; casualization of labour, job insecurity, victimisation for blog to a political party of their choice, lack of maternity leave and benefits; sexual harassment; lack of proper and adequate sanitary facilities and protective clothing; lack of training on Occupational Safety and Health (OSHE),” said Dzimiri.
He also added that workers are also going for several months without receiving their monthly salaries.
“Another major challenge facing workers is the non-payment of wages. Some workers go for several months without being paid,” added Dzimiri.
The fish industry in Zimbabwe falls under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
The Fisheries department is mandated to carry out research on sustainable fresh water tilapia fish species production, nutrition, health, and conservation of indigenous species.
According to official statistics, Zimbabwe’s fish output averages 18,400 tonnes every year, yet demand is estimated at 60,000 tonnes yearly and the biggest fish processing company in Zimbabwe is Lake Harvest in which FFAWUZ have got 150 members (45 men, 95 women) at Lake harvest processing department.
