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By Burnett Munthali

Minister of Labour, Peter Dimba, has called for improved wages and working conditions for mine workers in Malawi to ensure they live dignified lives.

Dimba made the call during his visit to Kaziwiziwi Coal Mine in Rumphi District on Tuesday, where he assessed the welfare of the miners.

He emphasized that mining is a highly profitable industry that generates substantial returns for investors, and it is only fair that workers receive an equitable share of the profits they help generate.

The Minister, however, expressed concern over several labor-related issues discovered at the mine, which he said require urgent redress.

“We have noticed some violations at this mine,” Dimba stated, highlighting deficiencies in personal protective equipment (PPE) as one of the major issues.

He pointed out that most miners lack proper safety gear such as gumboots, gloves, and masks, which are critical in shielding them from coal dust—a known cause of tuberculosis.

Dimba further revealed that some workers are forced to share protective gear, a practice he described as unacceptable.

He also cited the mine’s failure to provide proper resting time for its workers, saying the law mandates at least one hour of rest, which is not being observed at Kaziwiziwi.

“Mining is labour-intensive, and workers need time to rest. It’s unfortunate that this basic right is being denied,” he added.

The Minister assured the miners that his officers will be monitoring the mine to ensure all the identified shortcomings are addressed.

This includes not only improving safety measures but also ensuring that workers receive fair wages and that proper systems are in place for processing compensation claims for job-related injuries.

Dimba criticized the basic monthly salary of K112,000 paid to many of the miners, stating that it is too low and must be reviewed urgently.

In response, Acting Manager for the mine, Befos Chakaka Nyirenda, acknowledged the concerns raised by the Minister and pledged to address them.

Nyirenda disclosed that the mine has recently faced operational challenges due to flooding under Section 20, which has stalled mining activities since November last year and affected revenue.

Despite the financial constraints, Nyirenda committed to resolving the PPE shortages within two weeks to improve worker safety.

He also acknowledged delays in compensation processes and attributed them to pending paperwork with the Labour Office, assuring that payments will be made once processing is complete.

Currently, Kaziwiziwi Coal Mine employs 270 workers, whose welfare and rights remain a growing concern for authorities.