Zim Mining Companies Raise Minimum Wage by 3%

(IDEX Online News) – Mining companies operating in Zimbabwe, including Rio Tinto Plc, are to raise minimum pay for their workers by 3 percent, reports Bloomberg.com. The Associated Mineworkers Union of Zimbabwe originally demanded a 10-percent increase for platinum and diamond miners while the mining companies proposed a wage freeze.

The increase means that the lowest paid workers will receive about $242 a month, reported Bloomberg.

Last month, Rio Tinto said that it might close down its Murowa mine in Zimbabwe owing to the effect of new taxes.

In a letter to staff, Murowa managing director Zebra Kasete wrote that the taxes were weighing down the business. “The management team is continuously engaging government and hope for some positive outcome from this process; else the viability of Murowa Diamonds as a going concern will be impacted.”