Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima revealed that he instructed officers to upscale joint inspections across Zimbabwe with representatives of the workers and employers to ensure that fair labour standards are observed during the lockdown and that general compliance to COVID-19 measures are adhered to at all workplaces currently operating.
The Minister said he welcomes information from stakeholders on specific establishments, sectors and issues that inspectorate should focus on when performing duties.
“The stakeholders have a role to perform by being ‘ears and eyes’ of our inspectorate and we will respond swiftly to any such reports,” Mavima said.
“I also expect my officers to execute their duties professionally, any acts of corruption must be reported for the law to take its course.”
Mavima also said the Labour Ministry stands ready to provide technical advice on issues regarding workplace measures to cope with COVID-19.
“It is illegal to force workers to go on unpaid leave during the lockdown period. Any consideration of such should be through collective bargaining and also subject to an agreement with the workers concerned,” he said.
“Any measure contrary to the agreed terms of employment should be mutually agreed.”
“There should be no unlawful terminations or unprocedural retrenchment during the lockdown period,” Mavima went on.
Mavima revealed information his plans in a statement on the Workers’ Day which takes place on 1 May every year.
Zimbabwe celebrates the Workers Day at a time when the companies lose revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Labour Minister said the pandemic had an unprecedented negative impact on the people’s existence, societies and the world of work.
“Owing to this sad development, Governments across the world, including Zimbabwe have had to instigate painful yet necessary measures such as national lockdowns to ensure the protection of workers in particular and citizens in general.”
