eBusiness Weekly
Martin Kadzere and Bernard Yombayomba
The negotiations to set parameters to kick-start social duologue failed to take off last Thursday after labour representatives failed to turn up for the crucial indaba.
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) secretary general Japhet Moyo was arrested last Monday for subversion.
His president Peter Mutasa was also arrested this week and is facing similar charges. The duo’s arrests followed deadly protests, which rocked Zimbabwe two weeks ago and left eight people dead.
Zimbabwe’s largest labour body had called for a three-day stay away in protest of economic hardships but it turned violent as properties worth millions of dollars were destroyed, shops looted while cars and government buildings were torched.
Scores of people have been since arrested while others have already been convicted. Zimbabwe is currently facing economic challenges among them a crippling foreign currency shortage and rising inflation, which has eroded household spending power.
In the face of deteriorating economic situation, the Government, business and labour was scheduled to meet last Thursday, under the banner of the Tripartite Negotiation Forum, to come up with a framework to collectively” stabilise the economy.
Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Sekai Nzenza, told Business Weekly in an interview that the second invitation had already been extended to the ZCTU.
“That is very much on our cards,” Nzenza said.
“We wanted to have it last Thursday, but (one of the) the key parties were not able to attend. But as the Ministry, we have extended the invitation for the second time. We are following an example of what is being done in other countries; to bring employers, trade unions (and) the government to the round table because, I do not believe strike is the best way forward. I believe social dialogue is the best way forward. Yes people can go on strike; they do have the rights but that should be the last resort. We must have a dialogue.”
Some economic analysts have been calling for the revival of the TNF, saying it is important to help arrest some of the economic challenges the country is going through and eliminate the mistrust, particularly between the Government and business.
For instance, the Government has on several occasions accused the business sector for effecting unjustified prices increases while on the other hand, business has blamed the policy makers for failing to provide sound policies to make their businesses thrive.
Last week, Sifelani Jabangwe, the president of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, said given the prevailing situation in the country, dialogue was very critical.
Minister Nzenza said she was hoping the ZCTU would be able to provide representatives in the absence of their secretary general and president as the matter was urgent.
“I am very positive about the round table. If I am not able to have Peter Mutasa, I am sure the ZCTU will be able to assist,” said Nzenza.
