THE Municipal Workers Union of Zimbabwe has reaffirmed its commitment to defending workers’ rights, saying labour standards “were not given but demanded” by generations who rejected exploitation.
In a May Day statement, Acting President Mr Sam Konde joined the nation in marking International Workers’ Day on 1 May, paying tribute to the “sweat, sacrifice and solidarity” of Zimbabwean workers.
“Today we honor the workers who built our nation and continue to sustain it,” Konde said. “This day is a reminder that the rights we enjoy were not given but were demanded by workers who refused to accept exploitation as normal.”
Konde said the union has a long history of defending employees dating back to the colonial era, with operations in Harare and other areas. The MWUZ was a founding member of the National Employment Council for Municipals and Allied Institutions, which now covers all urban local authorities.
The union said it has registered several instruments under the NEC to protect fair labour standards, negotiate living wages, and advance health, safety and improved conditions of service.
“Beyond Workers’ Day we shall continue to champion workers’ rights as we push for the realisation of Vision 2030 of an upper middle income society for our members,” Konde said.
May Day is observed globally on 1 May to recognise the contributions of workers and the labour movement.
