By Tendai Chisiri
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) joined Zimbabweans and the rest of the world in commemorating International Workers’ Day.
International Workers’ Day or May Day celebrated on the 1st of May every year to acknowledge the very important role of workers in providing vital services as well as to promote their rights and wellbeing while advocating for better working conditions, fair wages and social justice.
The 2025 theme for the Zimbabwe Workers’ Day commemorations is; “Creating a formidable partnership to promote social justice and decent work for all”.
In a press statement ZHRC said, “The 2025 workers’ day theme underscores the importance of a multi-sectoral and collaborative approach between Government, employers and other stakeholders in addressing the challenges faced by workers of all categories in Zimbabwe towards a common objective of promoting social justice and decent work for every person”.
“The promotion and protection of workers’ rights to dignity, equality, non-discrimination, social inclusion, safety, health and the overall well-being of workers by all stakeholders is the basis for social justice and decent work for workers”, ZHRC added.
The ZHRC notes that the Constitution of Zimbabwe guarantees workers’ rights to fair and safe labour practices and standards, to be paid a fair and reasonable wage and, except for members of the security services, to participate in collective job action as provided in Section 65 of the Constitution.
The Labour Act [Chapter 28:01] governs employment relationships, working conditions, and dispute resolution mechanisms, thereby establishing a legal framework that reflects commitments the Government of Zimbabwe has made at both regional and international levels to safeguard workers’ rights.
The Commission further notes that over the years, the Government of Zimbabwe has established and maintained labour relations frameworks that promote employer-employee dialogue and progress has been made in promoting worker organisations and trade unions to organise themselves including engaging in collective bargaining and tripartite negotiating mechanisms to improve working conditions.
The Commission also commends the Government for ratifying the UN Convention on the rights of All Migrant Workers and their families and urges the Government to implement its provisions relating to the rights of Zimbabweans working abroad.
Despite some of these positive measures, challenges persist in the fulfilment of workers’ rights in Zimbabwe. In particular, public-sector workers continue to receive low salaries which makes it difficult to afford a decent standard of living.
Incomes of workers in most sectors continue to be depleted by high inflation and macro-economic pressures and unfavourable exchange rates between the United States dollar and the local currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG).
The ZHRC is concerned about formal businesses facing viability challenges leading to closure of businesses resulting in poverty, job losses and limited income options. High unemployment levels have led to a surge in unregulated and often chaotic informal trade. This has eroded the tax base resulting in a heavy tax burden on the formal workers. The Commission calls on the Government to review and reduce taxes which are paid by workers and find more balanced alternative means of raising revenue.
“The country continues to face significant human capital flight and irregular migration. The industrial action by nurses at Sally Mugabe Hospital and lecturers at the University of Zimbabwe is indicative of the need for more concerted efforts to improve working conditions of public sector workers in general. The Commission monitored the Sally Mugabe nurses’ industrial action and produced recommendations”, ZHRC stated.
The ZHRC calls on the Government to engage constructively with unions of the university lecturers as well as to proactively engage in collaborative efforts through dialogue with representatives of other public sector workersincluding those that represent doctors, nurses and other health professions, teachers and the rest of public sector employees with the aim of improving working conditions and wages.
The ZHRC encourages the Government to uphold the freedoms of workers including journalists, legal practitioners and human rights practitioners, allowing them to exercise their profession, trade and occupation as provided for in Section 64 of the Constitution, without unlawful restriction. Equally, the Commission is concerned about the abuse of workers’ rights by foreign investors in the extractive mining sector.
The Commission calls on the Government to prioritise improving the working conditions, rights and entitlements of workers, ensure enforcement of fair labour practices, promote healthy and safe working conditions as well as uphold humane treatment of workers in that sector in compliance with national laws.
As the country celebrates the 2025 Workers’ Day, the ZHRC re-affirms its commitment to execute its dual mandate of promoting and protecting human rights and administrative justice for all without discrimination. The 2025 Workers’ Day commemorations should inspire the nation towards ensuring that the full spectrum of rights in the Constitution, inspired by international and regional human rights instruments are safeguarded at all costs.
ZHRC wishes all a happy workers’ day.
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