Chronicle Editor
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
The Government has expressed concern over the continued increase in occupational fatalities, saying the country has so far this year recorded 70 deaths and 4 912 injuries at the workplace.
The figures have been described as too high and calls made for enhanced education on occupational safety across both formal and informal sectors.
Speaking during a National Social Security Authority (Nssa) Open Day at the Workers Compensation Rehabilitation Centre in Bulawayo on Friday, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, July Moyo said the country’s figures were alarming compared to a global total of one million workplace accidents each year.
“Our national statistics are troubling. From 2019 to 2023, we have recorded an average of 4 622 serious disabling injuries and 65 work-related fatalities annually.
“These figures are worrying. We want to underscore the need for critical decisions and actions by the Government and social partners to effectively address these occupational hazards and diseases,” Minister Moyo said.
He reaffirmed his Ministry’s dedication to supporting Nssa and the Workers Compensation Rehabilitation Centre.
“We recognise the vital role that this centre plays in our national health and social protection system and the broader economy. The work done here not only helps individuals recover but also contributes to their psycho-social support and reintegration to society.
“We expect that the WCRC will continue to uphold the highest standards of care and expand its reach to ensure that no injured worker is left behind,” he said.
Nssa acting general manager, Dr Charles Shava expressed concern over the increasing statistics. “In 2023 alone, Nssa reported 4 334 injuries and 60 fatalities. The figure for 2024 already stands at 4 912 injuries and 76 deaths, raising serious concerns about what the end-of-year statistics might reveal,” said Dr Shava.
He noted that 49 percent of clients treated this year sustained hand injuries, 32 percent had leg injuries, while seven percent suffered back injuries.
Dr Shava also pointed out that the current statistics do not align with the size of Zimbabwe’s economy, which makes these numbers even more alarming.
“Given the limited scale of our economy, the prevalence of injuries and deaths is disproportionately high. Moreover, these figures only account for registered workers within the formal sector, neglecting civil servants and the larger informal workforce, which constitutes approximately 80 percent of our labour force,” he said.
Comparatively, Dr Shava noted that larger economies like the UK report significantly lower rates of workplace fatalities relative to their scale—only 130 deaths per year despite having numerous high-risk industries.
Regarding injury types, Nssa data reveals that 58 percent of severely injured patients are paraplegic, while eleven percent are quadriplegic. Other serious cases include eight percent of patients who are blind and 15 percent suffering from various disabilities.
Workplace accidents not only lead to severe physical injuries, but also incur financial losses for both employees and employers due to medical expenses, lost wages and diminished productivity as injured workers require recovery time.
Dr Shava emphasised that the prevention of workplace accidents and deaths hinges upon bolstering the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) division of Nssa.
“To curb these statistics, we must enhance our OSH division by providing sufficient personnel for industry inspections and training, thus reinforcing the crucial need for safe working environments. Government-led public campaigns are essential since the workforce is invaluable,” he said.
Challenges persist as Nssa lacks adequate personnel for outreach and awareness campaigns designed to lower workplace injuries.
Dr Shava lamented the inadequacies of current legislation, which only covers workers under the Factories at Work Act, excluding many workers, especially those in agriculture and unregulated sectors.
“Additionally, while we compensate injured workers in the mining sector, we lack the authority to prevent accidents in that space, which tragically resulted in over 200 recorded fatalities last year in registered mines. We must also consider unreported incidents,” he said. — @NyembeziMu
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