Zimbabwean workers deserve dignity, fair wages, and the protection of the law
Reports of a Chinese employer allegedly threatening to replace workers who refuse a US$90 monthly wage demand an urgent response from the Ministry of Labour
By Alice Nyamande
Reports circulating on social media — including a video allegedly showing a Chinese employer telling Zimbabwean workers to either accept a monthly wage of US$90 or be replaced — have sparked widespread public concern. If these reports accurately reflect what happened, they raise serious questions about the protection of workers’ rights, the enforcement of our labour laws, and the dignity afforded to Zimbabwean citizens in their own country.
No worker should be subjected to intimidation, or forced to choose between accepting wages that cannot cover the basic cost of living and losing their livelihood. Employment must be founded on mutual respect, fairness, and compliance with the laws of Zimbabwe.
The cost of living continues to place enormous pressure on ordinary families. It is therefore entirely reasonable to ask whether a monthly wage of US$90 enables a worker to put food on the table, keep a roof over their family’s head, and meet the costs of transport, education, and healthcare. These are not fringe concerns — they are urgent ones that deserve urgent answers.
The Ministry responsible for Labour and Employment has a duty to establish the facts surrounding this incident and, where any labour laws have been breached, to act without fear or favour. Labour inspectors and the relevant authorities must ensure that every employer operating in Zimbabwe — regardless of nationality — complies fully with our labour legislation and respects the rights of Zimbabwean workers.
Zimbabwe welcomes investment that creates jobs, transfers skills, and contributes to national development. But investment must never come at the expense of the dignity, rights, and welfare of our people. Every investor who operates in Zimbabwe should respect our laws, our institutions, and the citizens whose labour contributes to their success.
This incident has also prompted broader public questions about the extent of foreign influence in Zimbabwe’s economy. Such concerns should not be brushed aside. They require transparency, accountability, and leadership that places the interests of Zimbabwean citizens first.
The Action Democratic Movement believes that Zimbabweans deserve decent working conditions, fair remuneration, and workplaces free from intimidation or degrading treatment. Our nation’s workers are not disposable. They are the backbone of our economy, and they must always be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Alice Nyamande is President of the Action Democratic Movement (ADM).
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