Tinotenda Hove- HARARE — The National Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe (NMWUZ) has petitioned Parliament, calling for urgent action against what it described as widespread labour abuses and environmental violations by Chinese-owned mining companies operating across the country.

Handing over the petition at Parliament in Mt Hampden, NMWUZ president Kurebwa Javangwe Nhomboka accused some Chinese investors of exposing Zimbabwean mine workers to “slavery working conditions” and violating the country’s labour laws.

“Our research has revealed that some Chinese management in the mining sector are exposing local workers to inhuman conditions. In many cases, workers are underpaid, forced to operate without protective equipment, and their health and safety is being compromised. This is a clear violation of Zimbabwe’s labour laws,” Nhomboka said.

The petition listed more than 20 mining companies accused of unfair labour practices, including Rundu Mine in Chegutu, Dinson Mines in Manhidze, Mutare and Hwange, Ming Chang operations in Makaha, Kwekwe and Mashava, as well as Shengxiang Investments in Goromonzi, which reportedly defied government shutdown orders.

“What irks us most is that workers are being beaten, dehumanized, threatened and even killed upon asking for their wages. They are also denied the right to join trade unions, which violates Zimbabwean Labour Law Chapter 28.1, our national constitution, and international labour standards,” the union leader added.

Beyond labour abuses, the union accused Chinese companies of blatant disregard for environmental laws, citing land degradation, water pollution, dust pollution, and deforestation across mining communities.

“Dust from ore-hauling trucks smothers homes, water sources, crops, and grazing fields. Villagers — including children and pregnant women — are suffering respiratory illnesses, livestock is dying, and rivers are being poisoned. This is happening from Manicaland to Midlands,” Nhomboka said.

The petition urged Parliament to push for a new Statutory Instrument compelling foreign investors to comply with labour and environmental laws. It also called for stronger enforcement of the Environmental Management Act, which the union argued was “effective against local investors but weakly applied when it comes to Chinese companies.”

The NMWUZ said it had previously written to the Chinese Embassy in February seeking redress but received no response.

“We will be grateful if you assist us in finding a lasting solution to the issues we have raised. Workers are the backbone of this nation — if they can’t breathe, we will be left with no option but to defend our zones of autonomy as employees and as a union,” Nhomboka warned.

The Speaker of Parliament is expected to review the petition before referring it to the relevant parliamentary committees for consideration.

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