Online Reporter
Peter Matika [email protected]
GOVERNMENT has approved the National Employment Policy (2026-2030) and National Formalisation Strategy as part of efforts to reshape the labour market, expand decent and productive employment and strengthen the foundation for Zimbabwe’s economic transformation towards Vision 2030.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo revealed the development while officially opening the Zimbabwe National Labour and Employment Summit 2026 in Bulawayo yesterday.
He told delegates that the two policy instruments mark a decisive shift from simply creating jobs to improving the quality, safety and security of employment for all Zimbabweans.
The summit, being held under the auspices of the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF), has brought together Government, organised labour, business, academia and development partners to deliberate on strategies for building an inclusive and employment-rich economy.
“I am pleased, and indeed proud, to announce to this Summit a milestone of profound national significance. Cabinet has since approved two landmark instruments: the National Employment Policy (2026-2030) and the National Formalisation Strategy,” said Minister Moyo.
“Together, these instruments establish a comprehensive, legally-grounded framework for promoting decent work across every sector of our economy.”
He said the policies represent a fundamental shift in Government’s labour agenda.
“These policies mark a decisive and deliberate shift in national focus, from merely generating jobs to actively improving the quality, safety and security of employment for every single Zimbabwean worker,” said Minister Moyo.
He said the policies dovetail with the Second National Development Strategy (NDS2), which places industrialisation, value addition, investment promotion, innovation, youth employment, women’s economic empowerment and social protection at the centre of Zimbabwe’s development agenda.
Minister Moyo said Government would now evaluate investments not only by the wealth they generate but also by the number of quality jobs they create.
“Investment that does not translate into jobs is incomplete. Growth that bypasses the ordinary worker is incomplete.
“Under NDS2, Government will continue to insist that every major investment, particularly in mining, agriculture and manufacturing, demonstrates a clear and measurable employment and local value-addition dividend for Zimbabweans,” he said.
Minister Moyo acknowledged that despite Zimbabwe recording notable macro-economic gains, including relative currency and price stability, increased agricultural production, growth in mining and improvements in manufacturing, significant labour market challenges remain.
He said informality continues to dominate the economy, while youth unemployment, underemployment and skills mismatches remain pressing concerns.
The minister also highlighted the need to dismantle barriers limiting women’s participation in economic activities, saying the country’s prosperity depends on creating inclusive opportunities for all.
He said Government’s vision under Vision 2030 is anchored on ensuring economic growth translates into meaningful livelihoods.
“A nation cannot claim prosperity while its people remain without decent work. A society cannot call itself developed while its youth remain idle and its women remain economically marginalised,” he said.
Minister Moyo said the National Formalisation Strategy would help integrate small and medium enterprises into the formal economy, enabling businesses to access finance, social protection, markets and long-term growth opportunities.
He challenged delegates attending the four-day summit to move beyond discussions and produce practical, measurable solutions that will create employment, improve productivity and strengthen industrial relations.
Minister Moyo said the Government remained committed to ensuring every Zimbabwean benefits from economic transformation through decent work, inclusive growth and sustainable development in line with Vision 2030.
