Published: 04 December 2013

THE Associated Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe (AMWUZ) is demanding wages linked to the poverty datum line (PDL) in its 2014 collective bargaining negotiations with the Chamber of Mines.

AMWUZ president Mr Tinago Ruzive said they wanted a pay rise in tandem with the PDL.

The ruling party, Zanu-PF, which informs Government policy, recently said it wanted the lowest paid civil servant to be paid the equivalent of the PDL up from about $297.

However, the private sectors fears that should the government go ahead and award the increment, it would trigger similar demands in the private sector and companies would not be able to match salaries and wages equivalent to the PDL without affecting their viability.

Mr Ruzive said the negotiations were expected to be concluded mid next month after being adjourned to verify issues raised by the employers. The issue of demanding wages that are PDL linked has been ongoing for the past two years and companies have been failing to achieve this plea due to their low productivity levels.

What is critical at the moment is that wokers and employers focus on improving productity first before allocating unstanable wage increaments.
- bh24

You might also want to read this

• Decriminalise gold possession: Miners
• Zimbabwe starts repossessing idle mines
• Illegal mining threatens Blanket Mine operations
• Mine, farm workers least paid: Zela
• Miners urge Fidelity to review gold price
• Mine to lose equipment
• Miners say 'use it or lose it' concept spot on
• Wrangle over Zimbabwe diamond mine continues
• Mine robbery gang members denied bail
• Miners object EPOs introduction