Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
THE Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare has called on the printing and packaging industry to urgently comply with labour laws and adapt to technological change to ensure the sector’s survival.
Speaking on behalf of the registrar of Labour in the Ministry, Mrs Mary Mapfaka at a workshop on economic and industry updates organised by the National Employment Council Printing, Packaging and Newspaper Industry (NEC PPNI) in Harare, Mr Lilford Nhandara, principal labour officer in the same ministry, said the industry is facing rising production costs, foreign currency shortages and unfair competition from unregistered players.
“These practices not only undermine the law but also disadvantage compliant employers and workers,” she said.
“Employers must commit to full compliance with labour, health and safety laws. My office stands ready to enforce compliance, but compliance works best when it is embraced voluntarily.”
Mrs Mapfaka said some operators were evading registration and ignoring professional safety standards, exposing workers to risks while destabilising the sector.
“Unfavourable practices by non-registered institutions continue to cripple progress. This undermines decent work and puts compliant companies at a disadvantage,” she said.
The registrar urged employers and unions to collaborate with training institutions to re-skill and up-skill workers in areas such as digital printing, graphic design and packaging technologies.
“Advances in digital technologies are transforming the world. We must ensure that workers remain relevant in a changing environment,” she said.
Mrs Mapfaka said dialogue, not confrontation, was the only way to find lasting solutions.
“Sustainable solutions can only emerge from dialogue. Instead of resisting technological change, the sector must embrace it. Opportunities exist in digital publishing, packaging innovations and e-commerce,” she said.
Mrs Mapfaka reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting NEC PPNI, the Federation of Master Printers of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe-Africa Workers’ union in building a compliant, innovative and competitive industry.
The workshop brought together employers, workers and regulators to deliberate on reforms to strengthen the sector’s resilience and contribution to the economy.
