DISASTER and Environmental Management Trust, with support from the Stop TB Partnership, recently conducted a series of tuberculosis (TB) talks aimed at empowering mine workers and their committees in Zimbabwe.
The initiative sought to provide comprehensive training on TB, educate workers about their rights as outlined in section 76 of the Zimbabwean Constitution, and promote health-seeking behaviors while emphasizing TB prevention, causes, and transmission in alignment with national guidelines.
The efforts yielded positive results, with 40 mine workers reporting an improved understanding of TB and workplace rights.
Additionally, participants gained insight into national workplace policies and strategic documents regarding TB.
Some workers revealed that they lacked proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and had been experiencing TB symptoms without clear support from their employers.
As a direct outcome of the initiative, mine workers have become more organized and empowered to assert their workplace rights concerning TB, utilizing legal channels and existing workers’ committees to address these critical issues.
This development marks a significant step toward safeguarding the health and well-being of mine workers in Zimbabwe.