Mine workers strike for better pay

Thousands of mine workers in Zimbabwe went on strike on Thursday for better pay after union negotiations with employers collapsed, the Associated Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe said. The deadline imposed by the unions for a wage increase expired, and the unions called on the 40,000 miners who work in the industry to strike.

Kevin Walsh

"This is a national strike which covers the whole country and so far 25,000 workers have heeded our call to go on strike," said Tinago Ruzive, the president of the Associated Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe.

Ruzive said  a labour court awarded the miners a 140-dollar (110-euro) salary increase, but the national chamber of mines has told its members not to pay the whole increase and has refused to negotiate with the unions.

"This is a violation of the law. We understand that the industry is not yet out of the pit, but workers are suffering," said Ruzive.

The lowest-paid workers are looking to double their meagre salary, which is 140 dollars per month.

The mining industry suffered during the hyperinflation and economic crisis that swept Zimbabwe, and included massive devaluations of the local currency.

In 2008 many mines closed or had very little output, but an improved financial climate is also proving beneficial for the mining sector. Some 1,667 tonnes of gold have been mined during th first quarter of 2010, while there was no gold production at the same time last year.