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During the 2022 Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions Workers’ Day celebrations in Dzivarasekwa yesterday, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) reiterated its commitment to decent work.
Annamarie Kiaga, Specialist on Informal Economy and Officer-in-Charge for the ILO Country Office for Zimbabwe and Namibia, representing her Director, Hopolang Phororo congratulated the working men and women of Zimbabwe on commemorating Workers’ day and assured them of ILO’s commitment to decent work.
“As we have gathered to celebrate 2022 May Day, the ILO would like to extend its congratulations to the working men and women of Zimbabwe on this occasion and to assure you of ILO’s commitment to decent work. The ILO would also like to use this opportunity to congratulate the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions for a successful congress. The ILO looks forward to working with the new leadership and supporting them through capacity-building programmes to address the challenges facing the working people of Zimbabwe,” Kiaga said.
She said the 2022 theme for the Workers Day, ‘Restoration of Workers’ Dignity’ is at the core of the Decent Work Agenda.
“What ILO calls Decent Work is bound in a person’s self-respect, well-being, and development as a human being. The ILO believes that for economic development to be meaningful, it should include the creation of jobs and conditions in which people can work – with freedom, equity, safety, and dignity. Respect for fundamental principles and rights at work is therefore critical for human dignity.”
Zimbabwe is facing economic and social imbalances that culminate into a labour market that is characterized by chronic unemployment, underemployment and informalization.
“We also know that the quality of work defines, in so many ways, the quality of a society. So, we must begin by helping the working poor step out of poverty and informality into quality livelihoods. And that is why the ILO is at the forefront in helping countries like Zimbabwe, where more than 76 percent of workers are informally employed, develop policies that keep people moving into progressively better jobs with living wages, respect for workers’ rights, non-discrimination and gender equality, facilitating workers organization and collective bargaining, universal social protection, adequate pensions and access to health care.
“At this juncture, I would like to congratulate ZCTU for seizing the opportunity to work with the Government of Zimbabwe and other tripartite partners in the development of a comprehensive National Strategy on the Formalization of the Informal Economy. ILO calls on the ZCTU to increase vigilance in strengthening its capacities, and those of its affiliates, in promoting the respect for international labour standards, enshrined in ILO Conventions and Recommendations, which contribute to a culture of social dialogue and can help prevent a downward spiral in labour conditions,” Kiaga added.
She said the ILO welcomes the opportunity to work with the Government of Zimbabwe, Worker Organisations, including the ZCTU, Employers bodies and all stakeholders to promote Decent Work and contribute to the implementation of the objectives of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, as articulated in the National Development Strategy 1, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and the Decent Work Country Programme.