Theseus Shambare
Preparations to host the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Employment and Labour Sector meeting in Victoria Falls next week are now at an advanced stage.
The high-level five-day gathering will start on March 24, with all SADC Labour ministers expected to convene to harmonise regional labour standards and address the region’s employment challenges.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo confirmed the nation’s readiness.
“We are now prepared for the meeting. The venues have been secured. VIP transport and security has been secured,” said Minister Moyo.
He said the meeting aims to standardise labour practices and laws across the SADC region, thereby facilitating smoother labour migration and ensuring consistent worker protections.
“The key points in that meeting include the issue of decent work.
“We would like to standardise our labour standards in the region so that as people migrate from one country to the other, they do not get shocks when they get to the other country. This also extends to issues around qualifications,” said Minister Moyo.
He said a core focus will be the harmonisation of qualifications and certification, building on previous efforts to establish the SADC Qualifications Authority.
This, Minister Moyo said, will allow for seamless skills transfer and reduce barriers to labour mobility within the region.
He said the impact of digital transformation will also be a critical discussion point.
“As technological advancements lead to increased retrenchments, ministers will explore strategies to mitigate these effects and ensure a just transition for workers.
“Discussions will also centre on setting living wages, enforcing fair labour standards, and strengthening compliance with local and international labour laws,” he said.
Recognising the significant portion of the workforce operating in the informal sector, Minister Moyo said, the meeting will address the need for expanded social protection.
“Policies aimed at extending benefits similar to those in the formal sector will be a key priority,” he said.
Minister Moyo highlighted the existing legal framework and the role of the 48 National Employment Councils in Zimbabwe.
“Collective bargaining agreements are enforceable at law. At SADC level, Article 6 of the SADC Protocol on Employment and Labour advocates for the ratification of the right to organise and collective bargaining by SADC Member States,” he said.
The outcomes of the Victoria Falls meeting are expected to shape the future of labour practices across the SADC region, with the potential to improve the lives of millions of workers by fostering a more equitable and stable employment landscape.
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