The Sunday Mail
TODAY Government and business join labour in appreciating the crucial role that the latter plays especially in expressing capital into development for Government and profit for business.
It must be appreciated that International Workers Day was born out of the triumph of labour over business in rightfully declaring the eight-hour working day.
The resolve of workers to fight against the excesses of capital, which at times conspired with government officials, is crystallised in the Hayfair Massacre on May 4, 1886 in Chicago, the United States of America, where police gunned down labour workers who were picketing for their rights. Naturally, the fallen workers became martyrs. As Thomas Jefferson (1743 -1826) once said, the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.
The workers who were in the trenches were mainly strengthened by ideologies of both socialists and anarchists.
Zimbabwe is fortunate enough because it is was given birth to by revolutionaries who were inspired by the same socialist ideologies that mainly seek to advance the interest of the workers.
It is the same DNA that the incumbent Zanu PF Government carries.
It is the same DNA that drove Government to intervene to stop the wholesale dismal of workers, particularly after the July 17, 2015 Supreme Court ruling that allowed business to terminate employment contracts on notice.
In order to provide a safety net for many workers who ordinarily could have walked away empty-handed if business had its way, Government tweaked the Labour Act to ensure that they were paid two weeks’ salary for each year served.
It therefore restored natural justice in a labour market that had become undemocratic. But obviously the employer concerns cannot be ignored. This is precisely the reason why Government is now consulting with its tripartite partners in order to hammer out a new Labour Act that caters for the interest of all the stakeholders.
It is safe to conclude that the current consultations will certainly result in a modern Labour Act.
By removing ambiguities to the Labour Act and introducing ground rules that have the buy-in of all the parties, Government is creating a platform where a stable labour market can thrive.
Such an environment allows labour to spend most of its time working rather than picketing knowing fully well that their interest are well protected by the force of the law. Such an environment also attracts investors and provides room for business to thrive knowing fully well that both its interests and investments are protected from potentially restive workers by the force of the law.
Also, a well regulated labour market affords Government the time to concentrate on the development agenda rather spend time arbitrating the disputes between business and labour.
It must also be appreciated that by making the labour market efficient, Government is essentially priming the local economy for growth, as it guarantees the efficient allocation of labour. Experts often claim that an environment that is characterised by worker stability ensures that corporate resources are directed towards research, technology development and global positioning.
Equally, in an environment where Government is in the process of refining local systems to ensure the ease of doing business for local and foreign investors, the reform of the Labour Act should also be considered within the context of one such intervention that makes the local market attractive.
So, these are wholesome and committed reforms from a Government that is showing a willingness to grow the economy.
Granted, the ranks of formally employed workers continues to decline, but there now exists a modicum of stability that can only have the positive effect of attracting investments and, by extension, more opportunities for employment. As workers commemorate a day that is set aside to celebrate their victory and value, they must do so with the absolute assurance of a Government that has all along been a fair arbiter in advancing the interests of the labour movement.
Comment: Govt, business, workers find common ground
The Sunday Mail
TODAY Government and business join labour in appreciating the crucial role that the latter plays especially in expressing capital into development for Government and profit for business.
It must be appreciated that International Workers Day was born out of the triumph of labour over business in rightfully declaring the eight-hour working day.
The resolve of workers to fight against the excesses of capital, which at times conspired with government officials, is crystallised in the Hayfair Massacre on May 4, 1886 in Chicago, the United States of America, where police gunned down labour workers who were picketing for their rights. Naturally, the fallen workers became martyrs. As Thomas Jefferson (1743 -1826) once said, the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.
The workers who were in the trenches were mainly strengthened by ideologies of both socialists and anarchists.
Zimbabwe is fortunate enough because it is was given birth to by revolutionaries who were inspired by the same socialist ideologies that mainly seek to advance the interest of the workers.
It is the same DNA that the incumbent Zanu PF Government carries.
It is the same DNA that drove Government to intervene to stop the wholesale dismal of workers, particularly after the July 17, 2015 Supreme Court ruling that allowed business to terminate employment contracts on notice.
In order to provide a safety net for many workers who ordinarily could have walked away empty-handed if business had its way, Government tweaked the Labour Act to ensure that they were paid two weeks’ salary for each year served.
It therefore restored natural justice in a labour market that had become undemocratic. But obviously the employer concerns cannot be ignored. This is precisely the reason why Government is now consulting with its tripartite partners in order to hammer out a new Labour Act that caters for the interest of all the stakeholders.
It is safe to conclude that the current consultations will certainly result in a modern Labour Act.
By removing ambiguities to the Labour Act and introducing ground rules that have the buy-in of all the parties, Government is creating a platform where a stable labour market can thrive.
Such an environment allows labour to spend most of its time working rather than picketing knowing fully well that their interest are well protected by the force of the law. Such an environment also attracts investors and provides room for business to thrive knowing fully well that both its interests and investments are protected from potentially restive workers by the force of the law.
Also, a well regulated labour market affords Government the time to concentrate on the development agenda rather spend time arbitrating the disputes between business and labour.
It must also be appreciated that by making the labour market efficient, Government is essentially priming the local economy for growth, as it guarantees the efficient allocation of labour. Experts often claim that an environment that is characterised by worker stability ensures that corporate resources are directed towards research, technology development and global positioning.
Equally, in an environment where Government is in the process of refining local systems to ensure the ease of doing business for local and foreign investors, the reform of the Labour Act should also be considered within the context of one such intervention that makes the local market attractive.
So, these are wholesome and committed reforms from a Government that is showing a willingness to grow the economy.
Granted, the ranks of formally employed workers continues to decline, but there now exists a modicum of stability that can only have the positive effect of attracting investments and, by extension, more opportunities for employment. As workers commemorate a day that is set aside to celebrate their victory and value, they must do so with the absolute assurance of a Government that has all along been a fair arbiter in advancing the interests of the labour movement.
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