Labour Brokering as a Corporate Strategy for Sustaining Joblessness in Zimbabwe’s Mining Sector

Abstract

The study sought to assess labour brokering as a preventive strategy for joblessness in Zimbabwe’s mining sector. The study was qualitative focusing on a sample size of 10 managerial and senior employees in the mining sector in Mashonaland West Province. Purposive sampling was used to select the respondents. Interview guides were used to collect data. Data was analysed and presented thematically. The study findings showed that in the mining industry, the labour broker acts as a catalyst for workers who are absent for short periods of time due to illness, maternity leave, or other reasons. The research also showed that mining firms regularly employ recruitment agencies like FC Platinum Labour Brokers to acquire cutting-edge know-how and expertise. Findings suggested that brokers were employed by mining corporations to reduce the potential for human mistake and danger while also overcoming inefficiencies and risks. The study concluded that labour brokers are necessary for managing costs like those associated with long-term insurance policies, medical insurance, and other funeral annuity costs, as well as for gaining new skills and knowledge from newly hired employees and reducing human resource inefficiencies and risks that could prevent the company from carrying out its mission.