News / National
Labour Law Amendment Bill a welcome development
14 Aug 2015 at 12:57hrs | Views
The proposed amendments in the Labour bill are a welcome development which are poised to make a difference on the chaotic labour market which rendered over 20 000 workers jobless in the past four weeks. This came hard on the heels of an indelible Supreme Court ruling which paved way for employers to fire workers upon giving three months notice only.
The Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe should be complimented for hastening to find a reprieve for the vulnerable workforce that was made insecure by the existence of the archaic clauses of the Common Law, which bear the ugly hang-over of the repressive colonial systems.
The three conditions proposed for possible instances through which one can have his/her employment terminated, are reasonable in a fair and just business environment. This recognizes the value of all partners (employees and employers) so that they contribute meaningfully in the economy.
This comes at a time when the whole society was panic stricken and quite anxious over these unbridled job losses.
The great fear was anchored on the catastrophic subsequent consequences to the economy as the remaining workers were left gripped by full doubt as to when the guillotine would strike again and chop them off too. The ripple effect was on the productivity of the business entities. Chances for sabotage and reduced production were certain as workers' morale was lowered to alarming levels due to the accelerated rate at which workers were laid-off.
It is an indisputable fact that workers engaged into involuntary go-slow at their respective workplaces as the uncertainty continued to rule. Now the amendments will relieve this desperate situation which created unprecedented effects on the powerless employees.
It is hoped that the House of Assembly and the House of Senate will re-invigorate themselves and ensure that sanity is restored as a matter of urgency.
The Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe should be complimented for hastening to find a reprieve for the vulnerable workforce that was made insecure by the existence of the archaic clauses of the Common Law, which bear the ugly hang-over of the repressive colonial systems.
The three conditions proposed for possible instances through which one can have his/her employment terminated, are reasonable in a fair and just business environment. This recognizes the value of all partners (employees and employers) so that they contribute meaningfully in the economy.
This comes at a time when the whole society was panic stricken and quite anxious over these unbridled job losses.
The great fear was anchored on the catastrophic subsequent consequences to the economy as the remaining workers were left gripped by full doubt as to when the guillotine would strike again and chop them off too. The ripple effect was on the productivity of the business entities. Chances for sabotage and reduced production were certain as workers' morale was lowered to alarming levels due to the accelerated rate at which workers were laid-off.
It is an indisputable fact that workers engaged into involuntary go-slow at their respective workplaces as the uncertainty continued to rule. Now the amendments will relieve this desperate situation which created unprecedented effects on the powerless employees.
It is hoped that the House of Assembly and the House of Senate will re-invigorate themselves and ensure that sanity is restored as a matter of urgency.
Source - Suitable Kajau
