Chronicle Editor
Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
COURT interpreters who are employed by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) have registered a union, Court Interpreters Association of Zimbabwe with the Registrar of Labour.
The duty of a court interpreter is to serve as a conduit between non-English speakers and English-speaking officials in legal fora.
The registration is contained in the Government Gazette under the general notice 3551 of 2021, Labour Act (Chapter 28:01).
“It is hereby notified in terms of Section 33 of the Labour Act (Chapter 28:01) that an application has been received for the registration of Court Interpreters Association of Zimbabwe to represent the interest of court interpreters employed by the Judicial Service Commission,” reads the notice from the Government Gazette of December 31, 2021.
Any person who wishes to make any representations relating to the application is invited to lodge such representations to the Registrar of Labour within 30 days of the publication of this notice and state whether or not he or she wishes to appear in support of such representation at any accreditation proceedings.”
JSC secretary Mr Walter Chikwanha welcomed the development saying the Judicial Service Act allows employees to form unions or associations for the purposes of engaging with the employer, especially on matters to do with the improvement of conditions of service.
“This is a welcome development because unions or associations by our employees are allowed under the Judicial Service Act. In terms of the law, that is the Judicial Service Act, staff associations are allowed.
Members of staff are allowed to form associations as they assist them work together as they engage their employer in terms of improving their conditions of service,” he said.
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