Investors warned over labour law violations

THE Government has warned foreign investors against violating Zimbabwe’s labour laws, cautioning that any company found abusing workers risks having its operating licence revoked.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo said this on the sidelines of his ministry’s ongoing five-year strategic planning workshop in Bulawayo yesterday.

He said the Government remains committed to protecting workers’ rights while ensuring that investors operate within the country’s legal framework.

“We are doing a lot in terms of our inspections, and figures show that this year we have carried out far more inspections than in previous years. That increase is in direct response to the heightened abuse of our workers,” said Minister Moyo.

“We want to ensure that as investors come into our country, they follow our laws. If anyone is found flouting our regulations, the law takes its course without fear or favour. As a ministry, if we can cancel those licences, we will certainly do it.”

Minister Moyo said his ministry has intensified impromptu inspection visits across workplaces to monitor compliance with national labour standards. An inter-ministerial task force, led by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, has also been set up to investigate reported cases of worker abuse.

He said in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Zida), a labour officer has been permanently attached to the agency to guide new investors on local labour requirements before operations commence.

“Through Zida, every investor is educated on labour laws and the dignity that our workers deserve. Investors should adapt to the national legal environment just as our people must be truthful when reporting violations,” said the minister.

He added that while some reports of worker abuse were found to be exaggerated upon investigations, most cases were verified to be genuine, warranting firm corrective measures.

Earlier, while delivering his keynote address, Minister Moyo said labour market development was central to national economic growth and the attainment of Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.

“Labour remains the most valuable asset of any nation and Zimbabwe is no exception. As a ministry, we must intensify efforts to expand decent work opportunities while safeguarding industrial harmony across all sectors of the economy,” he said.

Minister Moyo said the ministry was prioritising the operationalisation of the Labour Market Information System (LMIS), which will improve tracking of employment trends, skills supply, and workforce demand.

“A functional LMIS will ensure that our skills development systems are aligned to real economic needs, thereby improving employability and reducing unemployment, particularly among the youth,” he said.

The workshop, attended by senior ministry officials, aims to review the achievements of the 2021–2025 Strategic Plan and craft a new roadmap that responds to emerging challenges in the socio-economic environment.

Minister Moyo urged participants to embrace a culture of innovation, acceleration and disciplined execution, emphasising that the ministry must remain agile in what he described as a Vuca (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) global environment.

“Our commitment to Vision 2030 and the transformative agenda of President Mnangagwa must translate into concrete actions, measurable results and visible improvements in the lives of our people,” he said.

Zimbabwe’s labour landscape has come under increasing scrutiny amid reports of worker exploitation, particularly in the mining, manufacturing and retail sectors involving some foreign-owned companies. The Government has since intensified monitoring efforts, deploying more labour inspectors nationwide.

Through Zida, all foreign investors are required to comply with Labour Act (Chapter 28:01) provisions, which guarantee fair wages, safe working conditions and respect for workers’ rights. The renewed emphasis on compliance aligns with the Decent Work Agenda championed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), of which Zimbabwe is a signatory.