Workers ‘will want more’

The Herald, 24 October, 1980

WITH the emergence of a new, vociferous trade unionism, management would have to take care with industrial relations and abolish racism, the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Mr Kumbiral Kangai, said last night.

Addressing the Salisbury branch of the Zimbabwe Society of Bank Officials, Mr Kangai said political changes and social circumstances would “inevitably lead to workers making greater demands and being far less passive than they have been in the past”.

He said there was bound to be a new generation of trade unionism, and management would have to be prepared to discuss complaints with workers and their representatives as well as facing up squarely to the abolition of racism in all aspects of working conditions.

The “crisis of expectation” which arose after the installation of the new Government gave rise to a large number of strikes. This illustrated the basic need of the workers to take part in the affairs governing their future and also showed a lack of communication between management and workers, he said.

As trade unions had an important part to play in the economy and the expansion of the country, it had to be remembered that their prime function was improving the lot of the workers.

“There should be grassroots liaison between the trade unions and their workers; trade union officials should be the very first to know of any dissatisfaction which exists among the workers whom they are supposed to represent,” he said.

It was important that “close attention” was paid to the composition of organisations which applied for registration as trade unions to ensure that they represented the workers and were not “merely a hierarchy of officials seeking personal power”.

The greatest difficulty trade unions had suffered over the years was gaining recognition from the employers, but with the Industrial Conciliation Act recognition was a right granted on registration of a trade union.

He urged the unions to “act and behave as a responsible, integral part of society, with collective obligations to society a whole”, adding that it was vital to establish and maintain “the closest possible grassroots liaison with the workers”.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

The statement by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, highlights the significant impact that a new wave of trade unionism had on industrial relations within a country. This emergence is often characterised by increased activism among workers, a demand for better working conditions, fair wages, and an overall push for social justice in the workplace.

The emergence of a “new” trade unionism suggested a shift in how the organisations operate or what they prioritise. This could involve more aggressive tactics, broader coalitions with other social movements, or a focus on issues such as racial equality and anti-discrimination policies.

Effective industrial relations are crucial for maintaining harmony in the workplace and ensuring productivity. With the rise of new trade unionism, management must be proactive in addressing workers’ concerns to avoid conflicts that could disrupt operations.