Online Reporter
The Herald, 12 January 1983
THE Government is to crack down on all employers who refuse to employ ex-combatants.
Interviewed by the Herald this week, the Minister of Labour and Social Services, Cde Kumbirai Kangai, spoke of a “fairly sizeable number” of such employers who did not want to fill vacant posts with former guerillas. He told them the Government could not tolerate this as it was against national reconciliation.
“There have been cases where these former liberation fighters have been offered jobs, but when their employers discovered they were combatants the offers have been withdrawn,” Cde Kangai said.
The falling crime rate throughout most of Zimbabwe indicated that most of the more than 25 000 demobilised ex-combatants had adjusted well to civilian life.
“Unemployment among these men and women is still a problem, but most of them have adjusted well. But many employers have still not adjusted.
“If my ministry hears of cases where employers have refused to offer jobs to these people, strong action will be taken against them. We cannot tolerate this attitude, which is opposed to the policy of reconciliation.
“The $185 a month demobilisation pay the former fighters received should not be considered a pension or a grant. This money is merely to tide these men and women over from military to civilian life. In return we expect them to make an effort towards continuing their education, forming co-operatives or finding themselves employment,” Cde Kangai said.
Demobilised ex combatants could apply for advance payments to start projects, the maximum for each being $2400. “We are encouraging former combatants to set up poultry, farming and mining co-operatives.”
On the problem of job opportunities for the disabled, Cde Kangai said that in 1980 there had been 5000 disabled ex- combatants on the labour market.
“Now there are only 300, and slowly these men and women, too, are being absorbed into jobs. Generally speaking, the business community have been extremely helpful about fitting these disabled people into jobs.”
Lessons for today:
- The government emphasized that reconciliation after a conflict is not just a political statement but must be supported by tangible actions, such as integrating ex-combatants into the workforce.
- Employers have a duty to support national policies and contribute to social stability by offering jobs to ex-combatants. Resistance from employers shows how societal attitudes can lag behind government policy, creating challenges for reintegration.
- The demobilisation allowance was meant as temporary support, not a permanent solution. This teaches that financial aid alone is insufficient, opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, and employment are critical.
- Encouraging self-reliance through co-operatives and projects highlights the importance of empowerment rather than dependency.
