Story by Bruce Chahwanda
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says decent work is central to production processes and value chains across all sectors of the economy, hence government’s commitment towards fair labour standards, employment creation and social dialogue to transform livelihoods.
As Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in celebrating International Workers Day, government is cognisant of the role played by workers towards industrialisation and modernisation of the country’s economy.
In his Workers Day message, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said decent work remains a building block towards the attainment of national aspirations through the transformation of livelihoods across the country.
“May Day is also a time to pay homage to labour who are central to the production processes and value chains across all sectors, for the ultimate prosperity of our motherland, Zimbabwe. As such, decent work is a core principle under the growth and stability pillar of the National Development Strategy. It remains a building block for the attainment of our national vision as well as inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and the consolidation of a sustainable and competitive economy.
“To date, under the National Development Strategy, an array of milestones has been achieved which are transforming livelihoods, leaving no one and no place behind. We are unwavering in our commitment to guarantee fair labour standards, strengthen social protection, promote employment creation and enhance social dialogue, towards the attainment of decent work.”
The government continues to prioritise compliance to occupational health and safety standards to reduce workplace accidents and fatalities.
“The review of the country’s labour laws, to make them more responsive to the needs of an ever-evolving labour market, is ongoing. In this regard, inclusive and broad-based dialogue with social partners will always be key characteristics of my government’s engagements. To ensure compliance with labour standards, my government is scaling up inspections to enforce regulations governing the workplace.
“We are determined to continually raise awareness on the importance of compliance to occupational health and safety standards, as outlined in our country’s labour laws. All entities, both big and small, have a duty to play in the quest to achieve decent work as well as the reduction of workplace accidents and fatalities,” he stated.
President Mnangagwa said engagements are on-going to address migration challenges and strengthen labour market conditions.
“Our country further welcomes partnerships, technical cooperation, capacity building and shared knowledge on best practices, from across the world. As we press on towards the realisation of National Vision 2030, guided by the National Development Strategy, issues relating to decent work, occupational health and safety, among others, will be fully mainstreamed.
“Accordingly, the National Employment Policy Framework is being reviewed to provide clear pathways for job creation, entrepreneurship and skills development. This mechanism will be complemented by the robust pursuit of a formalisation strategy to bring our informal sector into the mainstream economy.”
Despite the existence of illegal economic sanctions, global economic setbacks and climate change-induced challenges, government reiterates its commitment to safeguarding the welfare, dignity and rights of workers.
“Zimbabwe reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the welfare, rights and dignity of all workers. In spite of the illegal sanctions, global economic shocks, and climate change, among other exogenous factors, all of us, in both the public and private sectors, must play our part to ensure that labour is valued as a critical cog in the prosperity of our motherland, Zimbabwe. In our pursuit to attain decent work and higher quality of life, no worker must be left behind,” the President said.
As thousands of people go out for their daily duties, there is consensus on the need for the National Social Security Authority to intensify efforts towards expanding social security to small and medium enterprises or the informal sector for a healthy workforce.
