Zimbabwe's mining industry has lost over half of its skilled workers in the last year as they are lured abroad by the chance of increased pay, it has been claimed.

A new study from the Chamber of Mines found that there are now 1,116 positions for professional and technical staff after workers have departed.

South Africa and Mozambique are the most likely destinations for workers looking for pay increases and Jack Murehwa, President of the Chamber of Mines, said the mines are helpless.

"Mines and other organisations are helpless in the matter because they can not match what these skills are being offered outside Zimbabwe," he explained.

He said that workers would stay in Zimbabwe if they were to earn the same as in South Africa where they could stand to take home as much as $2,500 a month, compared to $200 a month in Zimbabwe.

"Under the current situation, the employer is struggling to make that money, the taxes are among the highest in the world and price distortions make earnings based on the official exchange rate a mockery," said Mr Murehwa.

Sources:

Zimbabwe mining loses half skilled workforce: chamber, 11/02/08
http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=africa&item=080211112303.u0klhg9g.php

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