300 retrenched in Zim every week - ZCTU blames Govt

THE ZIMBABWE Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has vowed to defy the labour market reforms that were recently approved by government saying it makes workers vulnerable to exploitation.

According to ZCTU reports about 300 workers are retrenched in Zimbabwe every week.

Last year, 9 500 workers were retrenched in the private sector.

Labour issues in Zimbabwe are still regulated by the Labour Act (chapter 28:1) which used to be called the Labour Relations Act until March 7 2003

Reason Ngwenya, the union's chairperson for the western region, before the workers day celebrations today that the reforms were unacceptable.

"The labour market reforms are unacceptable. They allow employers to hire and fire at will and the Ministry of Public Service, labour and Social Welfare's acceptance of these reforms shows a disregard for workers' rights," said Ngwenya.

He said Zimbabwe has one of the lowest labour costs in the world yet the retrenchment policy and labour act structures favour employers.
He also said the increase in unemployment and collapse of Bulawayo's industry has already put workers in dire straits.

Ngwenya said ZCTU will announce its strategic plan on how it will tackle the labour market reforms during today's Workers' Day commemorations but refused to divulge the plan.
"We have crafted a plan that will ensure workers' rights are protected. It would be unwise to pre-empt the details of the plan but we will engage government in the immediate future," said Ngwenya.