Murowa Diamonds Workers Decry “One-Sided” Labour C...

Murowa Diamonds Workers Decry “One-Sided” Labour Court Ruling

Witness Runodada ZimNow reporter

A controversia Labour Court order handed down on 8 August 2025 by Justice Chivizhe has triggered uproar among Murowa Diamonds employees, who say the judgment strips them of fundamental labour rights and shields the employer from accountability.

The ruling, which was granted in default after the 360 respondents failed to appear, orders the immediate end to what the court called “unlawful collective job action” and compels the workers to return to work within 24 hours. It further absolves the company from paying salaries and ancillary dues from 9 July until the date the workers resume duty, and authorises the employer to take disciplinary measures, including suspension without pay. The dispute over unpaid wages is deferred to a labour officer for resolution within 30 days.

Workers have condemned the decision as unjust and procedurally flawed. In their statement, the Murowa Diamonds Workers’ Committee said, “This order was made without us being heard. It denies us the right to present evidence or defend ourselves. We have been working for months without salaries and bonuses, yet the court’s priority seems to be forcing us back to work without addressing the real problem.”

They accused the court of punishing employees while sidestepping the core issue of non-payment. “We are being told to end our protest, go back to work, and accept that our wages from July 9 will not be paid. This is not justice. This is institutionalising exploitation,” the statement read.

The workers are calling for the order to be reviewed and set aside to allow a fair hearing with full legal representation. “Justice must be balanced,” the committee declared. “The court exists to protect the rights of all parties, not just the employer. In its current form, this ruling abandons the very people it is supposed to protect.”

They also urged the Ministry of Labour to urgently intervene and ensure all outstanding salaries and bonuses are paid before any return-to-work directive is enforced. “Our livelihoods and families are on the line. We will not be silenced when our rights are being trampled,” the workers said.