News / National
ZCTU skeptical over the benefits of the new labour laws
18 Aug 2015 at 07:59hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has lamented that despite the new labour laws being put in place being good for the workers but there are some sections which are not good which the government seem to be overlooking and leaving them the same way as they were.
ZCTU secretary general Japhet Moyo said while the media is awash with the so called "good news for fired workers " , a lot is not said about other negative provisions in the same Bill or envisaged Act;
"The Ministerial powers to regulate and oversee the work of Unions and NECs is very retrogressive. The interference infringe on Freedom of Association. We are not an extention of government, therefore we should be allowed to operate without hindrance. ( Zimbabwe ratified the Convention 89 & 98 on Freedom of Association and collective bargaining )," he said. "The Bill is silent on the cumbersome route to Collective Job Action. Regardless of the recommendation from International Labour Organisation (ILO) COI which the government accepted"
Moyo said the Bill is retrogressive because it reintroduce the role of Labour Officers instead of streamlining our Dispute Resolution System. The concept will prolong resolution of disputes.
"The provision on compensation for job loses is dictorial because it empowers the employer to unilaterally choose the criteria for selecting those to be retrenched and that is open for abuse. Social dialogue at workplace is completely restricted.
Furthermore the prescribed quantum ignores economic realities of different companies," he said.
"The provision allowing arbitrators to recind their own awards is open for abuse and prone to corrupt tendencies. Registration of Collective Bargaining Agreements has been condemned as interference by ILO and it amounts to interference. The Bill does not define what is " public policy " therefore the Ministry is likely to abuse this provision."
He said the Bill is now silent on maternity leave, instead of aligning the envisaged Act with the Constitution.
"While this Bill comes handy to stop massive job losses, it has fatal shortcomings likely to tilt the balance of power in favour of Business and the State to the disadvantage of workers," he said.
ZCTU secretary general Japhet Moyo said while the media is awash with the so called "good news for fired workers " , a lot is not said about other negative provisions in the same Bill or envisaged Act;
"The Ministerial powers to regulate and oversee the work of Unions and NECs is very retrogressive. The interference infringe on Freedom of Association. We are not an extention of government, therefore we should be allowed to operate without hindrance. ( Zimbabwe ratified the Convention 89 & 98 on Freedom of Association and collective bargaining )," he said. "The Bill is silent on the cumbersome route to Collective Job Action. Regardless of the recommendation from International Labour Organisation (ILO) COI which the government accepted"
Moyo said the Bill is retrogressive because it reintroduce the role of Labour Officers instead of streamlining our Dispute Resolution System. The concept will prolong resolution of disputes.
Furthermore the prescribed quantum ignores economic realities of different companies," he said.
"The provision allowing arbitrators to recind their own awards is open for abuse and prone to corrupt tendencies. Registration of Collective Bargaining Agreements has been condemned as interference by ILO and it amounts to interference. The Bill does not define what is " public policy " therefore the Ministry is likely to abuse this provision."
He said the Bill is now silent on maternity leave, instead of aligning the envisaged Act with the Constitution.
"While this Bill comes handy to stop massive job losses, it has fatal shortcomings likely to tilt the balance of power in favour of Business and the State to the disadvantage of workers," he said.
Source - Byo24News
