Online Reporter
Judith Phiri Business Reporter
THE Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare has called on National Employment Councils (NECs) to evolve from conventional dispute-resolution platforms into dynamic, future-ready institutions capable of guiding industrial harmony and productivity in a complex world.
The development is also critical as the country closes the final phases of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and transitions into NDS2 toward the realisation of Vision 2030 of achieving Upper Middle-Income Society by the year 2030.
Speaking at the Annual National Employment Councils Symposium in Bulawayo, Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Mercy Dinha said traditional employment models were being disrupted by digital technology, climate change, globalisation and shifting demographic patterns.
“Against this backdrop, NECs must evolve. Over the past two years, the Ministry has made notable progress in strengthening institutional capacity, with one of the most transformative initiatives being the development of the Labour Market Information System (LMIS),” she said.
“The LMIS is designed to provide real-time labour statistics, track emerging skills demand and supply gaps and inform collective bargaining and employment policies. It also enhances transparency and alignment with economic trends.”
She said in a rapidly evolving work environment, data was a critical currency, while NECs, employers and workers need access to accurate and timely information to negotiate in good faith and plan for sectoral growth.
Deputy Minister Dinha said LMIS will also enable better coordination between training institutions and labour market demands, ensuring that human capital is effectively aligned with economic transformation.
“LMIS supports the Human Capital Development and Innovation Pillar of NDS1, and it will serve as a backbone for policy coherence as we move into NDS2,” she added.
“Our workforce is increasingly mobile, and Zimbabwe is strategically engaging with regional and global partners to unlock employment opportunities for our citizens abroad.”
She said over the past two years, the Ministry has made headway in negotiating bilateral labour agreements with countries such as Namibia, Botswana, and Rwanda, among others.
The Deputy Minister said these agreements facilitate the safe migration of skilled Zimbabweans, promote mutual recognition of skills and qualifications, and strengthen labour mobility and labour relations.
She said the agreements also enable workers in the diaspora to remit finances back home which boosts household income and national development.
In terms of Zimbabwe’s re-engagement with the global economy, Deputy Minister Dinha said: “As Zimbabwe intensifies its re-engagement with the global economy, foreign direct investment is increasingly coming from non-traditional partners such as China and India. This has presented both opportunities and challenges in communication and compliance.”
She said some NECs have taken the commendable step of translating Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) into languages understood by employers the example being National Employment Council for Brick and Clay Products who have translated their CBA into Chinese.
The Deputy Minister also commended NEC Agriculture Industry for translating their CBA into Shona and Isindebele.
“The benefits of translating CBAs include, enhanced clarity and understanding for foreign employers, reduced risk of labour disputes due to miscommunication and Improved investor confidence. It also includes the promotion of inclusive, transparent labour relations.”
She said such initiatives position Zimbabwe as an investor-friendly destination while upholding workers’ rights.
Deputy Minister Dinha encouraged such initiatives to all NECs, while the effort supports broader goals under Vision 2030 of improving the ease of doing business and fostering inclusive economic growth.
The symposium is meant to discuss pertinent issues in the labour market and harmonious industrial relations.
It is running under the theme: “Building resilient NECs in a rapidly changing environment and the future of work towards Vision 2030.”
