Government is strengthening its policies and resource
support through the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) to stabilise
prices and cushion workers from businesses bent on profiteering, a Cabinet
minister has said.
In a statement to mark Workers’ Day yesterday, Public
Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Sekai Nzenza said unjustified price
hikes were hindering Zimbabwe’s transitional journey under the Second Republic.
Government, business and labour, she said, needed each
other to solve economic challenges confronting the nation.
Minister Nzenza said the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF)
Bill, which seeks to provide a platform for consultations on socio-economic
issues between the Government, business and labour, was now before Parliament.
The Bill is among laws enunciated by President Mnangagwa
when he delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the official
opening of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament last year.
On price hikes, Minister Nzenza said: “As we embark on this
transitional journey, we call upon business to exercise restraint on raising
prices. The price hikes are hurting. This is why the President has launched the
Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) which has five key pillars.
“No one wins as the workers revert back to business to ask
for more and we eventually get locked in a vicious cycle of price and salary
hikes. However, as tripartite partners we believe that caring for our workers,
treating them fairly and helping them to grow in their jobs is a productive
arrangement given that there is evidence that caring for human capital drives
enterprise and economic growth.
“On the part of Government, we will strengthen policy and
resource support for prices stabilisation. In that regard, I wish to state that
the mantra ‘Zimbabwe is open for business and the ease of doing business
initiatives are underpinned by an unshakable resolve to ensure that decent work
is attained in all the jobs that we envisage to create.”
Minister Nzenza said unity was key in finding solutions to
challenges facing the country.
“The resolution of the socio-economic challenges we
currently face require close cooperation as never before,” she said.
She said Zimbabwe remained committed to fulfilling, in
practise and legislation, the principles of the International Labour
Organisation (ILO) which it ratified.
As such, Minister Nzenza said, Government was working on
the TNF.
“We believe that this social dialogue platform affords the
social partners a genuine opportunity to exchange ideas that can facilitate the
growth of the economy, through greater investment, productivity and
innovation,” she said.
“I hope that the August House will pass the TNF Bill when
it resumes its business this month. The Bill, which is before Parliament at the
second reading stage, will provide the necessary legislative framework to
ensure greater accountability effectiveness in the work of the TNF.
“Accordingly, the TNF will emerge as a strong and vibrant
institution capable of greater contribution to the development of the country.”
The functions of the forum include consulting and
negotiating over social and economic issues and submitting recommendations to
Cabinet.
It will negotiate a social contract as and when necessary
and foster cooperation of the tripartite constituents and consult other key
stakeholders and contribute to the formulation and implementation of social and
economic policies.
The TNF will also follow up and monitor implementation of
agreements.
Minister Nzenza said “We underline that our principal role
as Government will remain that of creating an enabling policy and legal
environment for social partners to enjoy their rights and establish sustainable
enterprises.
“Government, therefore, remains committed to collaborating
with business and labour to ensure that workers are protected and that business
thrives.
“In recognition of the foregoing, Government remains seized
with the goal of stabilising and growing our economy while also ensuring labour
market stability in the country through continuous dialogue aimed at
modernising and harmonising our labour laws so that they equitably respond to
the needs of workers and employers.” Herald
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