Online Reporter
Peter Matika [email protected]
Government has reaffirmed its commitment to creating decent jobs, tackling youth unemployment and promoting inclusive economic growth, with the ongoing Zimbabwe Labour and Employment Summit expected to produce practical solutions that will accelerate the country’s march towards an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
Speaking during the Zimbabwe Labour and Employment Summit at the Zimbabwe International Conference Centre on Thursday, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Hon Edgar Moyo, said the gathering was a critical national platform to align labour and employment policies with the aspirations of Vision 2030.
Minister Moyo said the summit was not merely another conference, but a defining national moment for stakeholders to collectively chart a pathway out of poverty through productive employment and inclusive economic development.
“This summit seeks to align our labour and employment agenda with the national aspirations embodied in Vision 2030. It is a national moment that calls upon all of us to honestly examine the challenges confronting our labour market and collectively identify a sustainable pathway out of poverty,” he said.
He said while Zimbabwe had made notable progress in stabilising the economy, there was a pressing need to ensure that macro-economic gains translated into meaningful employment opportunities and improved livelihoods for ordinary citizens.
“Despite the challenges that our nation has faced over the years, Zimbabwe has attained macro-economic stability, which provides a solid foundation upon which we can build sustainable economic growth and employment creation. The task before us now is to ensure that this stability benefits every Zimbabwean through decent work and expanded economic opportunities,” said Minister Moyo.
He identified youth unemployment as one of the country’s most pressing socio-economic challenges, warning that failure to fully integrate young people into the productive economy could undermine national development efforts.
“Our young people represent one of Zimbabwe’s greatest assets. However, many continue to struggle to access meaningful employment opportunities. This summit must generate practical and innovative solutions that empower our youth with the skills, opportunities and support necessary to participate fully in the economy,” he said.
Hon Moyo also expressed concern over the continued marginalisation of women in parts of the labour market, saying inclusive development could only be achieved when women enjoyed equal access to employment, entrepreneurship and leadership opportunities.
“No nation can realise its full development potential while women remain marginalised. Gender equality must remain at the centre of our employment policies, ensuring that women have equal opportunities to contribute to and benefit from economic growth,” he said.
Hon. Moyo further called for greater attention to the informal economy, which now accounts for a significant proportion of economic activity and employment in Zimbabwe.
He said while the sector had become a critical source of livelihoods for thousands of Zimbabweans, it continued to face numerous challenges, including limited social protection, inadequate access to finance and weak regulatory support.
He urged participants to engage in frank and constructive dialogue that would produce practical policy recommendations capable of transforming Zimbabwe’s labour landscape.
Hon. Moyo said Government remained committed to strengthening social dialogue among employers, workers and other stakeholders as a key pillar for sustainable national development.
