Civil society calls for interventions as workers struggle

Enacy Mapakame

Zimbabweans joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Workers Day amid calls for improved wages and the general rights of workers on the backdrop of a global economic slowdown and projected increase in unemployment rate.

Also known as May Day, which falls on May 1, the day is observed to celebrate workers’ rights. It’s also an opportunity to air economic grievances or political demands that have a bearing on workers.

In Zimbabwe, the civil society stepped in by encouraging the Government to take action to improve the lives of workers in the country who are grappling with dwindling disposable incomes.

The Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) highlighted many challenges faced by Zimbabwean labourers, including the impact of the global economic slowdown, rising prices and high unemployment.

The organisation noted that the adverse impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, climate change, and growing debt burdens are all contributing to a difficult situation for workers worldwide.

In Zimbabwe, these issues are compounded by pre-existing social and economic inequalities, according to the civic society group.

ZIMCODD expressed particular concern for agricultural workers and rural communities, who have been severely impacted by the El Niño-induced drought. The resulting food insecurity and economic vulnerability have pushed many into poverty.

“In Zimbabwe, these challenges compound the unequal socioeconomic standing of citizens and have worsened hardship through inadequate access to healthcare, job insecurity and disparities in income and working conditions,” said ZIMCODD.

“The devastating effects of the El Niño-induced drought have further heightened food insecurity and economic vulnerability, particularly among agricultural workers and rural communities.

‘‘The resulting strain has perpetuated a cycle of poverty, leaving vulnerable populations (including labour) increasingly marginalised,” said ZIMCODD.

The civic society group also highlighted the high unemployment rate pointing out that it leaves many young people vulnerable to social problems. The informal sector, where many Zimbabweans find work, offers little security or protection.

According to Statistica the share of the Zimbabwean population who earn less than US$2,15 a day is projected to reach 48,97 percent in 2024 while those earning less than US$3,65 per day is projected to reach 70,23 percent in 2024.

Unemployment rate for 2023 is pegged at 7,99 percent while countries like Namibia, Morocco and Angola have unemployment rates of 20 percent, 10,3 percent and 9,9 percent respectively.

On a global scale, the International Labor Organisation (ILO) projects the labour market outlook and unemployment will worsen this year as an extra two million workers are expected to look for employment. This raises the global unemployment rate to 5,2 percent in 2024 from 5,1 percent last year.

Despite these challenges, ZIMCODD commended the resilience of Zimbabwean workers and called for the Government to take action to improve their well-being.

The organisation recommends that the Government invest in creating formal jobs, provide social security, and facilitate the transition of informal workers into the formal sector. ZIMCODD also called for increased civic space to allow workers to speak out about the challenges they face.

“We recommend that Government invest in creation of decent jobs in the formal economy and ensure social protection especially at retirement (and) facilitate the transition of the informal to formal sector providing adequate protections, credit facilities and opportunities against monopoly capitalism,” said ZIMCODD.

The challenges faced by workers are not unique to Zimbabwe alone as workers from across the globe took to streets in peaceful protest to air their views and grievances although in some instances, they turned out to be confrontational with law enforcement agents stepping in to restore order.

Throughout Latin America, workers marched to protest austerity measures and demand higher wages while in Argentina, unions galvanised crowds to vent their rage over libertarian President Javier Milei’s economic policies, which they say benefit the wealthy while inflicting pain on the poor and middle class.

In Nigeria, where inflation is the highest in 28 years, at over 33 percent, unions demanded bigger salary increases.

In South Africa, pro-Palestinian demonstrators joined May Day events and in Kenya, President William Ruto called for an increase in the country’s minimum wage.

According to AP News, more than 10,000 people in Japan gathered in Tokyo, demanding salary increases to set off price increases.

Reports also indicate that thousands of protesters joined the Athens marches as labor strikes disrupted public transport across Greece. The largest union demands a return to collective bargaining after labour rights were scrapped during the 2010-18 financial crisis.

In the German capital, around 11,600 people marched through the immigrant neighborhoods of Kreuzberg and Neukoelln, waving Palestinian flags and holding banners that read “No weapons for Israel” or “Free Palestine,” German news agency dpa reported.

In Paris, police fired tear gas as thousands of protesters marched through the French capital, seeking better pay and working conditions. Police said 12 officers were hospitalized after a homemade explosive was set off on the sidelines of the march and at least 45 people were detained after instances of scattered violence.