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17 October, 2011The National Engineering Workers Union (NEWU) joined the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and the labour movement across the globe in commemorating the World Day for Decent Work on the 7th of October under the theme: 'Save Our Rights, Save Our Economy and Our Jobs." This is the fourth time that Zimbabwean workers have held actions on this day having first done so in 2008.
Zimbabwe: Workers marched in the streets of Harare singing songs of solidarity and were addressed by the newly elected ZCTU leadership; Secretary General Japhet Moyo, 1st Deputy General Secretary Gideon Shoko and President George Nkiwane.
The ZCTU leadership assured works that ZCTU is committed to the issues of decent work and will continue to work with its membership and affiliates to make sure decent work is achieved. They reminded workers that they are part of international working class struggles and said that calls for decent work in Zimbabwe are echoed all over the world.
In Zimbabwe, only a few workers can claim to have decent employment, the vast majority of workers in earn far below the Poverty Datum Line (PDL). It is estimated that workers need to earn$504US a month to support an average family at the PDL but many workers in some industries are earning as little as $40US per month. Too many workers have poor quality and unproductive jobs, unsafe work, insecure income and are denied worker rights. There is also high levels of unemployment, inadequate social protection and poor provision for pensioners and those that are disabled.
NEWU is also experiencing problems in the industry with employers in the Engineering Sector refusing to comply with an arbitration award that was handed down of a 20% wage increase for the industry. This has resulted in spontaneous strikes by workers and has caused unrest in the industry.
As worker representatives, Zimbabwe unions understand that promoting decent work is a shared responsibility and incorporates the needs and perspectives of the government, employers and workers organizations. Workers want to experience opportunities for work that is productive and delivers fair income, security at the workplace and social protection, freedom to express their concerns, organise and participate in the decision making processes that affect their lives. They also want equality in opportunities and treatment for women and men.
Article by Miriam Chipunza of NEWU