PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has recognised the role of workers as a vital component in the economic growth of the country.Following the successful hosting of the 6th edition of Transform Africa Summit, and the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair along with the 43rd Independence Day celebrations, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has applauded the pivotal role played by workers in transforming not only Zimbabwe but the continent.
“Fellow Zimbabweans, I join you in commemorating Workers’ Day, a day set aside to globally to recognise, celebrate and honour the contribution of workers in the socio-economic development of our societies,” said President Mnangagwa.
“Equally we celebrate Workers’ Day this year at the tail end of a week we successfully hosted the 6th edition of the Transform Africa Summit in Victoria Falls and the 63rd edition of the ZITF in Bulawayo.“Those two events brought to the fore the increased critical role played by workers in fast transforming Zimbabwe and Africa. The economy is experiencing an unprecedented rejuvenation and growth despite the albatross of illegal sanctions by some western countries. In this regard the projected economic growth of 3.8 percent is above regional average,” he went on.
“Besides attainment of food security and sovereignty, the massive infrastructure construction inclusive of dams, roads, schools, clinics, and now factories are a result of the contribution by our workers. Your resilience is highly commended,” added the President.
As part of aligning the greater role of workers, government will soon launch a formalisation strategy aimed at addressing decent work deficits in the informal sector.“The Second Republic is resolute in leaving no one and no place behind. We recognise the plight of the workers in the informal sector. In this regard my government will soon be launching the formalisation strategy which is principally aimed at addressing decent work deficits in the informal sector,” stated President Mnangagwa.
“The strategy is envisaged to deal with lack of occupational safety and health, exclusion from social protection and irregular employment relationships in the informal sector. Fellow Zimbabweans as we celebrate May Day we also take a moment to remember fellow workers who were injured, died, or face diseases resulting from unsafe work environment, our aim is zero harm at the workplace,” he said.
“My government therefore attaches great priority to the conclusion of the draft labour bill on occupational safety and health with a view to providing a legal framework that addresses the challenges of occupational safety and health in our country,” he asserted.
President Mnangagwa said employers should fairly reward workers, as the country’s economic growth must cascade to the workers and their quality of life.
He noted, “The importance of ensuring workers are rewarded fairly cannot be over-emphasised. In this regard, I implore all employers to deploy innovative strategies.”
“Our economic growth must cascade to the workers with their quality of lives uplifted. All workers have to look into the future with hope as evidence is on the ground regarding transformation that the Second Republic is making in all sectors of the economy.”
Source: zbcnews
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