The worker and the new dispensation

29 Apr, 2018 - 00:04 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Hon Petronella Kagonye
On Tuesday, Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in celebrating Workers’ Day.

This is the day we celebrate the toil of workers while at the same time ensuring that our labour standards forward our national aspirations and that they are in tandem with international best practices.

Government recognises the sacrifice, discipline, perseverance and, most importantly, patriotism and commitment of all its workers.

About two weeks ago, the nation was also celebrating 38 years of independence and, the first historic commemorations which came under the banner of the new dispensation.

At independence, we celebrated our political liberation which is the basis for other gains including economic prosperity and social advancement.

There is no doubt that political liberation fits into the drive for democracy at the workplace and provision for decent work.

This is one of the central features of Workers’ Day.

That democracy is inherent in exercising constitutional rights on labour matters, which our laws cater for.

Government remains committed to improve working conditions and rights at the workplace.

It is fundamental to note that workers’ rights are indeed human rights.

Through the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF), the three parties – labour, business and Government – have continuously reviewed and aligned labour laws to the Constitution to address challenges such as the unfair dismissals which ensued after the Zuva vs Nyamande and others case.

In line with the international protocols on labour, Government has managed to promote workers’ rights in line with global best practices.

As state party to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Zimbabwe has participated in the processes and has also sat in the governing body.

Government is aware of some of the problems which the country had previously experienced due to economic challenges.

We are working on expeditiously addressing the problems in line with the new national thrust.

The new dispensation has also brought a silver line of hope.

His Excellency President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa has proclaimed that Zimbabwe is open for business.

The growth projections for Zimbabwe are an indication that workers have a bright future ahead of them.

On another note, the call for jobs creation directly fits into the vision of His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Related to this, is the call for productivity, which seeks to ensure that time is utilised and translated into the betterment of the different sectors of the economy and ultimately, the motherland-Zimbabwe.

Productivity is thus the new game in town.

With productivity at the workplace, Zimbabwe is at the cusp of having a competitive advantage given our rich human capital and natural resource base.

Another key aspect is that Government continues to give due support to the Zimbabwe National Productivity Institute which is the bastion of productivity.

I would therefore want to commend Zimbabwean workers for the hard work and contribution to the various sectors of the economy.

This dedication to duty and commitment to the motherland deserves plaudits!

Minister Kagonye wrote this article for The Sunday Mail

 

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