By Takudzwa Josiah
As Zimbabwe joins the rest of the World in commemorating Workers’ Day, a global observance of the contributions made by workers to society, a mine worker representative union has highlighted the need to end all forms of harassment of female workers in the extractive industry.
Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union Secretary General, Justice Chinhema highlighted that the issue of harassment of women in the workplace is one of 7 issues the union is pushing on various platforms.
Chinhema said the sector is male-dominated and women’s issues including abuse and salaries often take a backseat leading to rampant inequality.
He said the Union is working to ensure parliament ratifies ILO Convention 190 which protects women’s rights.
ILO Convention No. 190 (or C190 for short) is the first international treaty to recognize the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment.
Workers’ Day is It is celebrated annually on May 1st to commemorate the Haymarket affair in Chicago in 1886, where workers were fighting for an eight-hour workday. The day is used to recognize the struggles and achievements of workers worldwide and to advocate for better working conditions and rights.
