Worker’s role in national development
The working class plays a key role in the economy and development of the countries.
Zimbabwe: President E.D Mnangagwa said, “The importance of ensuring workers are rewarded fairly cannot be over-emphasized. In this regard, I implore all employers to deploy innovative strategies.”
Nigeria: Peter Obi (opposition and labor party leader) said, “The forces of darkness that have held this nation bound for long will not continue to have their way. We are determined to take back our nation for good, and we are not giving up.”
Kenya: President William Ruto said, “We will ensure that workers receive a significant and sustainable increase in return for their labor. We will also enhance their social protection to empower them for our socioeconomic growth further.”
Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni said, “We have got two enemies whom I am going fight, and you are going to hear the fight. These are corrupt politicians and civil servants.”
Zimbabwe recently joined the world in commemorating the World Workers Day on the 1st of May and several rallies were held across the globe hence and in some parts of the world protests were being conducted.
According to BBC News in 2021 almost 90 percent of Zimbabweans are informal workers and only 10 percent of them are formally employed.
Despite the majority of Zimbabweans being recognized as unformal employed, workers Day is still commemorated in the landlocked country.
President E.D Mnangagwa applauded the role that is played by both formal and informal employed workers, he said the role that is being played by workers in Zimbabwe is a huge factor in building the economy of the country.
President Mnangagwa further said his government has noticed and heard the outcry that is being made by the workers.
“The Second Republic is resolute in leaving no one and no place behind. We recognize the plight of the workers in the informal sector. In this regard my government will soon be launching the formalization strategy which is principally aimed at addressing decent work deficits in the informal sector,” stated President Mnangagwa.
“The strategy is envisaged to deal with lack of occupational safety and health, exclusion from social protection, and irregular employment relationships in the informal sector. Fellow Zimbabweans as we celebrate May Day we also take a moment to remember fellow workers who were injured, died, or face diseases resulting from unsafe work environment, our aim is zero harm at the workplace,” he said
Political leaders from opposition parties also shared their solidarity messages to working-class community.
The Democratic Union of Zimbabwe (DUZ), Presidential candidate Robert Chapman in a press statement outlined what his government will do for workers if he is elected into office this year.
“DUZ notes that the May Workers Day reminds us all that it is through work that we make our most important contributions to our families, our communities, and our nation. As the DUZ, we will build a strong economy that provides good jobs for Zimbabweans,” said Chapman.
On the other hand, opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa who had attended the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) annual Worker’s Day, spoke against the ill-treatment that is being made to workers in Zimbabwe.
He however highlighted that workers play a major role in Building the nation and it’s a must for them to be rewarded for their role of being national builders.
Speaking on the same platform, ZCTU president Florence Taruvinga called on workers to unite against capitalism.
In Zimbabwe May Day was celebrated under the theme,’ Workers Demand an Inclusive Zimbabwe Free From Poverty, Corruption and Oppression.
