Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) has urged government to prioritize job creation, social protection and respect for labor rights, bemoaning the uncertainty hanging around job security as thousands of workers continue to lose their jobs in the country.
ZCTU Secretary General, Japhet Moyo said the state of affairs in the labor market resemble the 19th century when the relationship between employer and employee was that of master and servant.
“The year 2017, just like the previous years, was also marked with massive job losses and the lives of many Zimbabweans became unattainable.
“As we are in 2018, there is uncertainty everywhere as thousands of workers continue to lose their jobs. Workers have had to contend with non-payment of wages, constant threats of termination of contracts, low salaries among a litany of previously enjoyed benefits being eroded by the employers.
“It looks like workers have been thrown back to the 19th century where the relationship between a worker and an employer was that of a Master and Servant.
“A recent study by the ZCTU research think-tank, the Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe (LEDRIZ), concluded that thousands of workers in Zimbabwe are working in modern slavery without getting salaries,” said Moyo.
He added that about 120 000 workers across the country worked without pay between 2015 and 2016.
“The study also indicated that at least 120 000 workers across the country worked without pay between 2015 and 2016. The research is titled ‘Working-without-Pay-Wage-Theft-in-Zimbabwe.
“The research noted that local authorities and parastatals are the major perpetrators with the highest number of employees who worked for nothing for an average period of nine months but their executives lived lavishly, earning thousands in allowances and benefits.
“22 778 workers in 20 urban local authorities had not received their salaries.12 000 workers in the agricultural sector were not being paid, while 7 500 security sector employees and a further 7 500 in the automotive industry were also not paid.
“About 7 500 workers had gone for 14 months without pay at the State-controlled National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), 4 600 in the clothing sector, 3 720 in medical and pharmaceutical companies and 1 800 workers in the energy sector, among other industries. Vulnerable farm workers were among the worst affected by the wage crisis, with hundreds of workers at ARDA Estates going for over six months without receiving salaries.
“What is happening in industry has had a devastating effect to society and it has affected pensioners, students, and even the rural folk. Zimbabwe has become a country of serious inequalities haves-and- have-nots.
” Over the last few years, we have also seen some retrogressive judgment coming from courts that compounded the plight of workers. The infamous Chidyausiku ruling of 17 July 2015 continues to haunt thousands of workers while other courts continue to churn out negative judgments despite amendments to the Labour Act that meant to curtail the carnage and award compensation for job losses,” said Moyo.
Meanwhile, Moyo called for a reformed labor legislation that comply with the new Constitution which now recognise the rights of workers as enunciated in section 65.
“We need a reformed labor legislation that comply with the new Constitution which now recognize the rights of workers in section 65 and also to comply with right to civil liberties as provided in the Constitution.
“There is also need to comply with international labour law standards as well as strengthen the protection of workers from economic evils of capitalists and neo liberals.
“We have seen the erosion of workers’ rights, protection and benefits since 1980. There is need for sincerity on the part of government on prioritizing job creation, social protection and respect for Labor Rights,” he said.
