Zimbabwe Mine Workers Demand US$650 Minimum Wage in 2026 Amid Mining Boom

Zimbabwe mine workers

The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDaMWU) has formally proposed a US$650 minimum wage for mine workers in 2026, intensifying calls for salary reforms across Zimbabwe’s booming mining sector.

The demand was adopted during the union’s national council meeting in Bulawayo, where leaders described the proposal as a decisive step toward fair compensation. Currently, mine workers earn between US$390 and US$400 per month, a figure the union says no longer reflects the sector’s strong financial performance.

Mining Sector Growth Fails to Lift Wages

Zimbabwe’s mining industry has experienced significant growth, driven by high international mineral prices, particularly gold, platinum, and chrome. Strong export earnings and increased production have boosted revenues for major mining companies. However, ZDaMWU argues that these gains have not translated into improved worker salaries.

“Mining is performing well. Gold is performing well. Platinum and chrome are doing well, but that performance is not reaching the pockets of workers,” said ZDaMWU General Secretary Justice Chinhema.

Workers report that stagnant wages have left families struggling to afford necessities such as rent, groceries, transport, and school fees. With rising living costs, many households face mounting debt and financial instability despite working in one of the country’s top-performing sectors.

Employers Urge Caution

Mining employers, represented by the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe, have called for wage restraint. They argue that maintaining currency stability and controlling inflation are critical to sustaining long-term investment and protecting the sector’s future.

However, ZDaMWU maintains that macroeconomic stability should not come at the expense of workers’ livelihoods. The union accuses employers of prioritising “super profits” over equitable wage distribution.

“Stability of the local currency must not come at the expense of workers' livelihoods. An income must be able to put food on the table,” Chinhema said.

Call for Fair Share of Mining Profits

Beyond daily survival, the union says higher wages are essential for professional development. As mining technology evolves, workers need access to training and skills development to remain competitive. At current pay levels, many cannot afford further education or upskilling opportunities.

ZDaMWU has also criticised what it describes as misplaced priorities, alleging that some employers promote funeral insurance policies instead of meaningful wage increases. With global mineral prices remaining favourable, the debate over wage equity in Zimbabwe’s mining sector is expected to intensify. For 2026, the union’s position is clear: the push for a US$650 minimum wage for Zimbabwe mine workers has officially begun.

Zimbabwe mine workers US$650 minimum wage