By Staff Reporter
Renco Mine workers have remained resolute, insisting they will only return to work once all outstanding dues are settled as their stay-away protest has entered the third day despite the mine’s promise to pay half of July’s salary.
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 on Thursday 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.
The industrial action comes barely a month after another one that took place in September and was prompted by a local spirit medium who had said if the operations continue without workers getting salaries people will die in the mine.
The medium gave some time frame and within the days, one worker died in an accident at work forcing workers to down tools fearing for their lives.
They only returned to work after negotiations with the local traditional leaders including headman Muchibwa.
