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Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
WORKERS in Manicaland came together on Monday to commemorate Workers Day, with calls for unity, inclusiveness and harmony underscored as cornerstones for development.
This year’s commemorations were held under the theme ‘Workers demand an inclusive Zimbabwe free from poverty, corruption and oppression.’
Workers Day is celebrated on the 1st of May each year to honor and reflect on the achievements of workers while recognising the importance of their contributions to the nation’s prosperity.
In Manicaland, the commemorations were held at Moffat Hall in Mutare, Village Inn in Nyanga and Rusape’s Vengere Stadium.
Addressing a gathering at the provincial celebrations held at Moffat Hall, Manicaland Provincial Labor Officer, Mr Vengesai Musolo said unity among workers will spur production.
“Social dialogue is key and we should always strive to work in harmony at our workplaces. There is need for dialogue and effective communication in workplaces to produce more.
“Where there is industrial harmony, there is production. Where there is disunity, there is no production or service delivery,” he said.
Zimbabwe Congress for Trade Union eastern region chairperson, Mr Johannes Kwangwari echoed the same sentiments.
Zanu PF District Co-ordination Committee chairperson, Cde Binali Yard said Workers Day commemorations should not be politicised as they are a celebration of workers.
“This is the biggest day in the life of a worker. We are taking President Mnangagwa’s mantra that no one should be left behind as the country moves towards achieving an upper-middle income by 2030.
“A worker should not wallow in poverty, but instead embrace peace and unity as we work towards producing results from our income-generating projects.
“Jobs are coming because President Mnangagwa is doing a lot, there are a lot of projects coming our way here in Manicaland.
“I also commend the ZCTU for inviting all political parties to come and be part of these commemorations,” said Cde Yard.
In a speech read on her behalf by the ZCTU General Council Member, Mr Douglas Chiradza, the Union’s president, Ms Florence Taruvinga highlighted the importance of prioritising workers’ safety.
“We are witnessing a lot of preventable workplace injuries and fatalities, especially in the mining sector. What precedence are we setting for workplace safety?
“While we applaud the empowerment programmes, we expect the empowered locals to commit to the common good of workers and the environment,” she said.
She called for violent free elections and said the cost of a contested election outcome hits an ordinary person even more.
“Our plea to political parties is for a violence free election. The cost of a contested election outcome hits the ordinary man more than the privileged few,” said Ms Taruvinga.
ZCTU secretary general, Mr Japhet Moyo said as society, we should be tolerant and inclusive.
“We want a Zimbabwe that caters for everyone, that gives job opportunities, opportunities to start businesses, opportunities to venture into farming,” said Mr Moyo.
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