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Herald Reporters
ZIMBABWEANS yesterday marked Workers Day at home in compliance with the Government’s lockdown directive.
This is the first time the nation has celebrated the day to recognise workers without a significant public gathering.
The Public Service Commission (PSC), in commemorating the day, applauded civil servants for their hard work. Civil servants constitute about 80 percent of the country’s workforce and are at the centre of economic recovery endeavours. PSC secretary Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe said the commission was cognisant of the difficult operating environment the day was being commemorated in. He saluted all its members for the sterling effort being channelled towards ensuring good service delivery and workmanship in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Zanu-PF said working class people had been the vanguard of the liberation struggle, social justice, non-racial and non-sexist philosophy towards national unity, peace and development. The ruling party said it was from the workers that nationalism was born, hence the struggles of workers could never be separated from the struggles and the agenda of the ruling party and Government.
“We pride ourselves as the champion of the recognition of workers’ rights, being a party of workers ourselves under the stewardship of our visionary worker, President ED Mnangagwa,” Zanu PF said. “Indeed, worker’s rights, equality and social justice could not be achieved without national independence. As we celebrate our achievement of 40 years of independence, we once again wish to reiterate the party’s commitment to the emancipation of workers and our resolve to maintain strong working and ideological relations with workers through our Tripartite Negotiating Forums to ensure a win-win situation between the employers and the employees.
“We also reiterate and celebrate our commitment to gender equality and women’s emancipation. We pay tribute to the millions of workers of this country who fought against the colonial racial oppression of the workers and our masses and the sacrifices they paid so that we enjoy the right of citizenship to this country.”
Across the country, people in various organisations, which offer essential services, particularly Government departments, reported for work. In Harare and Chitungwiza, workers who had been exempted to do their duties were the only people going about their mandated obligations.
All roads leading into the city centre were manned by the security officers strictly vetting anyone intending to enter the city.
It was business as usual at Mbare market, where farmers delivered their produce in the early hours of the day, but business was low.
In Chitungwiza, health workers at Chitungwiza Central Hospital were busy with their work. People visiting their loved ones were being screened for Covid-19 outside the hospital premises. Council clinics in the town remained closed to the public after nurses went on strike on Thursday, demanding Covid-19 risk allowances and citing lack of personal protective clothing and equipment.
In Kariba, it was business as usual for fishermen. Kapenta Workers Union of Zimbabwe regional chairman Mr Rhodes Madyira said while Covid-19 had significantly altered the life of many workers, employers should prioritise the welfare of their workers.
In Mutare, workers said this was the most difficult Workers’ Day they had witnessed in years. Zimbabwe Urban Councils Workers Union general secretary Mr Kudakwashe Munengiwa urged all local authorities to improve on protective clothing for workers, most of which he said were being exposed to Covid-19. “We applaud Government for declaring this pandemic a national disaster and taking measures to try and curb the spread,” he said. “But, as council workers, we feel local authorities are not doing enough to protect workers, for instance council health workers, refuse and sewer workers have not been equipped enough and this is our major worry as we celebrate our day.”
In Beitbridge, Government workers who offer essential services reported for work, as well as customs and clearing agents who are part of those enhancing the food chain.
Online Reporter