admin
Zvamaida Murwira Herald Reporter
Trade unions are opposed to proposed labour law amendments, which they say are retrogressive and arbitrarily take away workers’ rights to collective bargaining.
The unions argue that the amendments violate international statutes to which Zimbabwe is a signatory.
Government intends to amend the country’s labour laws, making it easier for employers to retrench workers when facing viability problems as part of efforts to ensure economic recovery.
There has also been suggestion of wage freeze from Government as part of measures to allow the economy to grow.
Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions secretary-general Mr Benard Dhanda said the proposed laws created uncertainty for workers and gave unfair advantage to employers to dismiss workers.
“They want us to go back to the Industrial Conciliation Act of 1959 which gave the employer the right to hire and fire workers.
“This is because they intend to repeal Section 12, which protects and guarantees workers’ rights. There will be no dignified exit,” he said.
The section provides for a three-month notice for termination of contract, gratuity and packages, among other things.
On wage freeze, Mr Dhanda said that workers had already been affected because there had not been an increment over the past few years at most businesses.
He said it was wrong for Government to advocate a wage freeze because that was against the spirit of collective bargaining and international instruments like the International Labour Organisation.
“The ILO Convention provides for collective bargaining where social partners come together and discuss issues affecting their members. It does not allow Government interference. Once Government talks of wage freeze, that is interference,” said Mr Dhanda.
He said while it was true that the country was facing economic challenges, the problems were not as a result of labour laws.
“The problems rest with issues like a bloated Government and Parliament.
“We cannot sustain the current number of Members of Parliament; those are the issues that need to be addressed,” he said.
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions secretary-general Mr Japhet Moyo said the proposed amendments not only affected workers, but financial institutions and departmental stores who thrive more on lending.
“As a worker you cannot plan. Workers are insecure if the current provisions are removed. They cannot take mortgages because the following day they can be fired. There are a lot of issues that authorities are not looking at,” said Mr Moyo.
He said that it was important for workers’ conditions of service and any possible waivers to be left to responsible representatives and trade unions as what currently obtains.
“We already have some sectors and companies that agreed with employers to defer any wage adjustment,” Mr Moyo said.
“It does not need Government interference. What needs to be discussed and implemented can be done at that level.”
Online Reporter