Workers celebrate across the country

Source: Workers celebrate across the country – herald

Herald Reporters

WORKERS countrywide yesterday marked Workers’ Day with a number of activities and calls for increases in wages and salaries to match the rising cost of living.

In Bulawayo, workers and labour union representatives converged at the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) offices to commemorate the day.

The representative bodies included The Food Federation and Allied Workers Union of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Security Guards Union (ZISEGU), Zimbabwe Revenue and Allied Workers Trade Union (ZIMRATU), Bulawayo Vendors Traders Association, Energy Sector Workers Union of Zimbabwe (ESWUZ), Zimbabwe Educational Health, Scientific and Cultural Workers Union, Zimbabwe Urban Council Workers Union and Zimbabwe Passengers Association.

In his address, ZCTU’s western region chairperson, Mr Ambrose Sibindi, called for harmony and meaningful dialogue between managers and workers in workplaces, saying lack of it negatively impacted on production and work output.

“There should be a clear dialogue between the workers, managers or employers and the Government because it has since been established that if these three organs don’t work together in harmony, it results in a lot of problems in governance set up,” said Mr Sibindi.

This year’s commemorations ran under the theme; “End corruption, end workers exploitation: Workers unite for social justice”.

If there’s disgruntlement, workers won’t put maximum effort in their work, service of quality of production will be badly affected, said Mr Sibindi.

Mr Sibindi said the salary gap between managers and ordinary workers needed to be reduced.

“I can tell you for the record that in the western region and Zimbabwe in general, companies are paying workers low salaries and wages, which are far much below the poverty datum line.

“To us, as workers that is a serious exploitation of workers,” said Mr Sibindi.

In his solidarity message, Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) president Mr Akuneni Maphosa urged the Government, trade unions, employers, and civil society to form a strong social contract, prioritising decent work as a cornerstone of national development.

Workers had to transcend transactional relationships and build transformative partnerships that protected the rights of workers, while enabling economic productivity and sustainable livelihoods.

“Zimta stands tall among the working-class movements of this country, proudly saluting the resilient spirit of Zimbabwean workers, especially the educators who nurture the future of our nation in increasingly complex socio-economic conditions. In the face of persistent economic hardship and social inequalities, we cannot move forward in silos,” he said.

“Now more than ever, the future of work, the future of education, and the future of our society depends on strategic alliances.”

Mr Maphosa said decent work was not a privilege, but a right.

“For educators, it means fair wages that keep pace with the cost of living, safe and secure work environments, including mental health protections, access to continuous professional development, social security and retirement benefits that guarantee dignity after service and most importantly, collective bargaining rights that are respected and upheld,” he said.

Decent work was the glue that held society together as it created industrial harmony, enhanced service delivery and built national trust.

In Harare, workers held Workers Day commemorations at Allan Wilson School.

Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Mercy Dinha was the guest of honour at the event that was attended by leaders of workers unions.

Deputy Minister Dinha said Government remained committed to improving working conditions.

“Government is committed to improving the welfare of its employees and create an environment that also benefit those in the private sector,” she said.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Raymond Majongwe hailed President Mnangagwa and the Second Republic for addressing some of the civil servants matters.

“We have decided to come and join others so as to give our concerns so that they reach His Excellency, President Mnangagwa,” said Mr Majongwe.

“If we do not attend these events other people without our concerns come and speak on our behalf and fail to fully represent us. I want to commend President Mnangagwa for giving us an ear and address some of our concerns,” he said.

In Mutare, workers from formal and informal sectors reflected on their contributions to national development and emphasised the significance of the day, celebrating achievements while highlighting ongoing struggles.

Events to commemorate the Day were held at Moffat Hall in Mutare and Village Inn in Nyanga.

The commemorations were attended by officials from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, led by the provincial labour officer Mr Vengesai Musolo.

Mr Lucky Makarange of Dangamvura challenged employers to recognise that the backbone of their organisations was not just the physical labour, but also the mental and emotional well-being of their employees.

“Let us prioritise creating workplaces that nurture, support and protect the welfare of workers.

“A healthy and happy workforce is the cornerstone of productivity, creativity, and success. Let us strive to build a culture of care, compassion, and understanding, where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive,” said Mr Makarange.

Mr Derek Magudhu highlighted need for policies favourable to the informal sector, which had emerged as the largest employment sector in the country.

He noted that the informal sector had become a vital source of livelihood for many Zimbabweans, providing employment opportunities for thousands of people.

ZCTU national treasurer and General Council member Mr Douglas Chiradza acknowledged growth of the informal economy, and called for recognition and respect of labour rights in the informal sector.

“We call for the full recognition and respect for labour rights in the informal economy,” he said.

In Matabeleland South most people from across the seven districts of Beitbridge, Bulilima, Mangwe, Insiza, Umzingwane, Matobo and Gwanda spend the Workers Day with their families, while some use the day to braai, play social soccer and pool tournaments at various centres.

For the border agencies, it was a normal working day with most officials spending the day processing the movement of cargo and travellers through the Beitbridge Border Post which operates on 24 hours basis processing 9 000 travellers, 200 buses, 2 000 light cars and 1 000 commercial cargo daily.

In Mashonaland East, no major activities took place during the Workers Day.