Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
THE Government has challenged the National Employment Councils to play an active role in promoting honest work and sustainable social protection for workers.
Officially opening a three-day General Secretaries and Designated Agents’ symposium for National Employment Councils (NECs), which ended in Masvingo this Friday, the Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Honourable Mercy Dinha, challenged NECs to become technology-driven institutions, promoting decent work and sustainable social protection.
“We gather at a critical juncture in our nation’s development as we are embarking on the National Development Strategy 2, which will carry us to the year 2030. It is imperative that our Labour market institutions position themselves at the centre of national progress. The success of Vision 2030 depends not only on economic growth but also on inclusive, fair, and sustainable labour practices.
“National Employment Councils are key actors in this process as they promote decent work and sustainable social protection for all by 2030, thus safeguarding stability in the world of work, which is industrial harmony. Technology is one of the most powerful forces shaping the future of work. Most industries are being reshaped, especially in the agriculture and mining industries, NECs must actively influence policy formulation so that emerging forms of work are recognised in law and in collective bargaining agreements,” she said.
NECs Coordinating Committee Chairperson, Mr Nomore Nhema, weighed in saying NECs should re-examine and adapt to the new operating ways.
“Through this National symposium, we are looking forward to capacitating National Employment Councils and adapting to the new changes in technology. As you are aware, the future of jobs is under threat, and we have to adapt to that change to ensure we also implement frameworks that are in line with the changes in the economy as well as technology. As NECs, we are now conducting what we call Electronic Case Management Systems. It is no longer about where you are, hearings can now be conducted wherever the parties concerned are, hence trying to adapt to the new technologies,” he said.
The symposium was running under the theme, “Building Resilient NECs in a Rapidly Changing Environment and the Future of Work Towards Vision 2030.”
