Mine workers' wives strike, demands their husband's bonuses

Published: 10 June 2013

CLOSE to 800 disgruntled wives of RioZim's Renco Mine workers in Masvingo on Monday brought operations to a halt when they took to the streets demanding their husbands' annual bonuses and better working conditions.

The wives blocked their spouses and even the police from passing through the gates.

The wives were also reported to have organised a night vigil and vowed to disperse only after their husbands got their bonuses and if the mine management addressed them.

When a Chronicle crew visited the mine yesterday, the wives were still blocking the main entrance, dancing and singing, saying they were striking on behalf of their husbands, who are victimised or fired if they are involved in an industrial action.

Renco Mine workers' wives association leader, Mrs Doreen Madzora, said as women they suffer most and decided enough was enough, as their husbands were underpaid, but were voiceless.

"Our husbands did not get bonuses, but the mine is productive. They are underpaid and if they dare raise the issue they are fired. They are also overworked, even on Sundays and we are left in a dilemma, as they deprive us of our conjugal rights since they will be very tired," she said.

The lowest paid worker at Renco Mine (Grade One) gets $180 a month.

The mine, according to workers privy to the operations, produces at least 70kg of gold a month.

Mrs Madzora added that some pensioners from the mine did not get their money despite years of contributing to the pension fund.

"Our husbands are also getting their money deducted monthly for pension contributions, but when some claim when they retire, they were told there is no money in the pension fund. Where did it go?" she said.

Renco Mine workers' committee chairperson, Mr Vincent Matiza, said they put women in the forefront due to fear of losing their jobs.

"About 100 workers were fired since last year after they complained about poor working conditions and underpayment. So our wives did it on our behalf, as they blocked us from getting to work early Monday morning. They are doing so in solidarity with their husbands, who are oppressed," he said.

He said the workers tried to pursue all avenues to force the mine to pay them their bonuses, but failed.

"I even wanted dialogue with the mine bosses and went to our headquarters in Harare to present the workers' plight, but they locked me out," he said.

By end of day yesterday, the women were still camped, as they cooked near the main gate refusing to leave while their husbands were alone at home.

Renco Mine manager, Mr Syprine Kachisa, who was held hostage at his place of residence, as the women blocked him from entering the mine offices, refused to take questions from the Press referring all enquiries to the managing director, Mr Ashton Ndlovu.

When called on his mobile, a woman who sounded like Mr Ndlovu's personal assistant, first said he had gone out of office, before contradicting herself and saying he was out of the country and had diverted his calls to her mobile.

The lady promised to call back, but she had not called at the time of going to Press.
- TC