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Leroy Dzenga Features Writer
The first day of May ordinarily comes as a delight for Zimbabwean workers.
Besides being a day their efforts are recognised and their grievances heard, the day also serves as an extra day of rest.
Far from the hustle and bustle of trying to make ends meet, formally employed workers get a chance to rest on a ticket that is exclusively theirs.
Others attend various celebrations across the country, while others treat is as a welcome holiday.
But this year presents a different story.
Prospects of rest or gathering have been thrown into disarray by an invisible enemy of the worker — Covid-19.
Ever since its outbreak, countries across the world have been experiencing unprecedented economic disruptions.
The International Labour Organisation says the future of jobs will be immensely affected.
According to the most recent edition of the ILO report on job security called the ILO Monitor: COVID-19 and the world of work, 305 million full-time jobs are under imminent threat and there are concerning signs of more job losses.
The report says smaller enterprises which house a larger number of people who are sometimes undocumented when employment figures are collated, find themselves under immense pressure.
“Taking together employers and own-account workers, around 436 million enterprises in the hardest-hit sectors worldwide are currently facing high risks of serious disruption,” read part of the report.
These figures are in addition to the 1,6 billion people across the globe whose access to income has been abruptly disrupted.
Closer to home, forecasts have been identifying same distress on the workforce.
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) famed for their May 1 celebrations, admitted that this year brings a new worrying dimension.
ZCTU secretary general Japhet Moyo said there was a grim prospect of job losses.
“This year we are facing an invisible enemy, the coronavirus pandemic,” he said. “Massive job losses are likely as business adjust business models.”
Like many other organisations dealing with labour, the reality of job losses is not lost.
“The advent of the Covid-19 has heightened uncertainty,” said Mr Moyo. “Some employers might be realising that they can do without certain jobs, placing many workers in very uncertain future.
“Would certain companies recover to the levels that they were before Covid-19? Homes have been turned into offices for many companies and would it be important to place the same workers under the same roof when they were able to provide services from their homes?
“What is the future of the hospitality industry and transport industry like airlines when virtual meetings have taken over the traditional mode of gatherings and conventional conferencing?”
A recent collation of projections by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) is enough to dampen the mood this Workers’ Day.
In a recent situation report, ZNCC said; “Workforce will be made redundant as some businesses will not be able to adapt to the effects of Covid-19
“There is going to be loss of employment, 25 percent of permanent formal jobs will be lost and 75 percent of casual or temporary formal jobs will be lost as businesses lay off workers given the sharp contraction in many sectors.”
In their prediction, ZNCC said those in the tourism industry will be among the worst casualties.
“The tourism sector will be the most hard hit as it is expected to shed almost 25 percent of the total formal sector employment followed by the manufacturing sector,” said ZNCC.
“If the total lockdown is extended without resorting to partial lockdown some of the leisure and tourism operators might completely collapse.
“With Government having set the minimum wage, affordability by businesses is going to be a challenge as businesses adjust due to the effects of Covid-19.”
A report “Policy Brief: The Impact of Covid-19 on Women” released by the United Nations last week, confirms how the impact of Covid-19 across the global economy will be profound, especially for women.
According to the report, emerging evidence on the impact of Covid-19 suggests that women’s economic and productive lives will be affected disproportionately and differently from men.
This is because across the globe, women earn less, save less, hold less secure jobs, are more likely to be employed in the informal sector.
The UN report says in many countries, the first round of layoffs has been particularly acute in the services sector, including retail, hospitality and tourism, where women are over-represented.
These challenges are not unique to Zimbabwe, the whole world is reeling from the same headache.
It will take tactful policy interventions and bailouts to ensure there is no bloodbath in economies.
Zimbabwe has begun taking that route.
In a recent story by The Herald, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said focus will be on saving jobs as finances for Covid-19 are availed.
“What you will see during this Covid-19 response generally is a stronger shift towards supporting our social action programmes and that is very critical,” Prof Ncube said.
The pandemic has derailed attempts to bring back economic growth which would have resulted in more jobs.
In fact, it is threatening the few jobs in existence.
“Another leg of saving livelihoods is to support companies so that we can retain jobs as we don’t want our people to lose jobs,” said Prof Ncube.
“We want to create more jobs, which is precisely why we want to support companies to retain, expand and access working capital. You will see us in the next few weeks announcing the recovery package to deal with those issues and watch the space for that.”
Prof Ncube and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima warned businesses against treating workers unfairly under the thin veil of Covid-19.
The year could be the among the most difficult May Day commemorations the world has ever seen.
Workers are uncertain on the future of their jobs or whether or not they will be remunerated at the end of each month. This year, there will be no gyrations at Gwanzura Stadium as workers are confined to their homes as part of the lockdown regulations.
The brave ones that are working, are part of an essential ecosystem that does not afford to be merrymaking as lives depend on their efficiency.
Workers in their different capacities form the pulse of the global economy and are hoping a solution is found soon.
Each day that passes without something concrete on the scientific side further plunges more workers into uncertainty.
Workers’ Day should be a reflection of the long road ahead; it will be by no means easy.
Online Reporter