Workers have called for meaningful social dialogue, stronger protection of labour rights and greater local value addition.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) Global Summit in Victoria Falls today, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Florence Taruvinga said social dialogue should produce practical outcomes that are respected and implemented by all parties.
“Dialogue has to be meaningful. There has to be sincerity always, and the outcome of meetings that happen through dialogue should be respected and implemented,” Taruvinga said.
She said workers remained a critical part of the country’s development agenda and called for the protection of National Employment Councils, which she described as important institutions in regulating labour relations and supporting economic development.
“We do not wish for any member within the statutory boards, because they bring economic growth to this country, and we are happy we are witnessing it. All acts and interference in the regulation of these boards will not be tolerated,” she said.
Taruvinga said labour had been engaging stakeholders on economic growth, industrialisation and policy coherence, arguing that sustainable development required coordinated policies.
“Our natural resources must generate jobs. They must generate skills. They must generate in making sure they aim for world technology development,” Taruvinga said.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Dr Rosemary Kalaburagala, ILO Country Director and Representative for Zimbabwe and Namibia Philile Masuku said Zimbabwe needed to convert its human and natural resources into productive enterprises, decent jobs and improved livelihoods.
“The challenge is to turn these endowments into productive enterprises, higher value exports, decent jobs and rising living standards,” Masuku said.
She said investment should not only be measured by the amount of capital attracted, but also by its contribution to technology transfer, skills development, domestic production and employment.
“The question is not simply how much investment we attract, but what lasting wealth and opportunities it creates for Zimbabweans,” she said.
Masuku also called for stronger regional integration through SADC and the African Continental Free Trade Area, including cooperation on labour migration, recognition of qualifications and portability of social security benefits.
