COVID-19: Zimbabwean miners call for more vaccination sites

The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) has called on the government to establish mobile vaccination sites at mines so that workers will not lose productive time in vaccination queues.

In an interview with NewZimbabawe.com, Zdamwu General Secretary Justice Chinhema said workers are losing productive time in queues waiting to be vaccinated.

Some mines now demand that workers must be fully vaccinated before they report for duty.

“Zdamwu is pro-vaccination and we are encouraging workers to get vaccinated. Further, instead of forcing workers, the mines must prioritize awareness campaigns. People are receiving a lot of fake news through social media and it is our request that mines work with us in educating workers. Instead of putting those restrictions which force workers, we must work towards awareness to workers, their families and communities,” Chinhema said.

He said mines must plan with the government to bring mobile vaccination sites.

“We are also urging the mines to plan with the ministry of health to bring the vaccination to the mines rather than workers looking for vaccination centres. Mineworkers are losing productive time in vaccination queues. We are, therefore, calling for mobile vaccination to be introduced to mining sites. Mining is a critical economic sector and there mustn’t be any disruptions to production,” he said.

The government has since said they will ensure vaccination of all workers.

Suzan O/AllAfrica