Online Reporter
President Mnangagwa’s address to the nation on Workers Day.
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Fellow Zimbabweans; Ladies and Gentlemen.
Today, Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in commemorating International Workers Day. It is a time when we honour and salute all workers who continue to play critical roles in driving our economy, shaping communities and supporting the social fabric of our society.
May Day is also a time to pay homage to Labour who are central to the production processes and value chains across all sectors, for the ultimate prosperity of our great Motherland, Zimbabwe.
As such, Decent Work is a core principle under the Growth and Stability Pillar of the National Development Strategy.
It remains a building block for the attainment of our national vision as well as inclusive growth, poverty reduction and the consolidation of a sustainable and competitive economy.
To date, under the National Development Strategy, an array of milestones has been achieved which are transforming livelihoods, leaving no one and no place behind.
We are unwavering in our commitment to guarantee fair labour standards, strengthen social protection, promote employment creation and enhance social dialogue, towards the attainment of decent work.
The review of the country’s labour laws, to make them more responsive to the needs of an ever-evolving labour market, is ongoing.
In this regard, inclusive and broad- based dialogue with social partners will always be key characteristics of my Governments engagements.
To ensure compliance with labour standards, my Government is scaling up inspections to enforce regulations governing the workplace. We are determined to continually raise awareness on the importance of compliance to occupational health and safety standards, as outlined in our country’s labour laws.
All entities, both big and small, have a duty to play in the quest to achieve decent work as well as the reduction of workplace accidents and atalities.
While the inter-agency initiative involving several Ministries, Departments and Agencies carried out joint inspections across the country’s mining sector in 2024, a lot still needs to be done.
This programme will be rolled out to other sectors as we shift focus and implement strategies that close the gaps and deficiencies in terms of promoting decent work.
Negotiations under the National Joint Negotiating Council, including through periodic remuneration reviews, have witnessed improvements in working conditions and industrial relations.
The full operationalisation of the Tripartite Negotiating Forum is being prioritised by my Government to promote effective social dialogue and entrench the shared national vision among social partners.
In line with the National Labour Migration Policy, my Administration is ensuring the safe and well-coordinated migration of our country’s skilled personnel as well as the protection of Zimbabwean expatriates, working abroad.
The notable increase in Diaspora remittances is testament that our country is benefiting from its huge investment in developing skilled human capital.
We stand ready to scale up engagements within the framework of both the International Organisation for Migration and International Labour Organisation to address migration challenges and strengthen labour market conditions.
Our country further welcomes partnerships, technical cooperation, capacity building and shared knowledge on best practices, from across the world.
As we press on towards the realisation of our National Vision 2030, guided by the National Development Strategy, issues relating to decent work, occupational health and safety, among others, will be fully mainstreamed.
Accordingly, the National Employment Policy Framework is being reviewed to provide clear pathways for job creation, entrepreneurship and skills development.
This mechanism will be complemented by the robust pursuit of a Formalisation Strategy to bring our informal sector into the mainstream economy.
Meanwhile, the National Social Security Authority is challenged to intensify efforts to extend social security coverage to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, particularly women and youth, who bear the brunt of inadequate social protection and poor working conditions.
My Fellow Country Men and Women;
As we commemorate Workers’ Day, let us remain inspired by our national development philosophy, ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo’.
Finally, Zimbabwe reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the welfare, rights and dignity of all workers.
In spite of the illegal sanctions, global economic shocks and climate change, among other exogenous factors, all of us, in both the public and private sectors, must play our part to ensure that labour is valued as a critical cog in the prosperity of our motherland, Zimbabwe.
In our pursuit to attain decent work and a higher quality of life, no worker must be left behind.
With these remarks, it is now my singular honour and pleasure to wish all Zimbabweans, at home and abroad, a Happy Workers’ Day.
God bless us all.
God bless Zimbabwe. I thank you.
Peter Tanyanyiwa