Zimbabwe: Union calls for work boycott until companies are safe

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has urged employees to stop going into work until the government meets the necessary hygiene requirements for limiting the spread of the coronavirus in workplaces. 

Many companies in Zimbabwe resumed operations on Monday, following the easing of lockdown restrictions as directed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. 

However, the ZCTU has criticised the government for ignoring its safety obligations when implementing this second phase of the coronavirus response.

In a statement, ZCTU Secretary-General Japhet Moyo said the government had skirted its responsibility to provide basic hygiene supplies to companies, and called on workers to strike until conditions improved.

“We are disturbed hat the government abrogated its role and suddenly parcelled out its responsibilities to the private sector employers and health institutions when it comes to testing, provision of face masks, and even sanitisation of the workplaces," he said.

The labour body also criticised the government’s inadequate public transport arrangements, which had left many workers stranded as the state’s transport provider, ZUPCO, struggled to cope. 

Mr Moyo chastised the government for failing to consult with the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) when making such crucial decisions, adding that most employers were not able to take their workers back yet.

"I think we need to emphasise that there were no consultations at TNF and therefore the policy lacks the inputs of labour and employers. We demand that an urgent TNF meeting be convened to deal with the challenges workers now face as a result of the ill-informed decision," he said.

Photo: AFP