SPEAKER of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda has called for stronger protection of workers’ rights, urging employees and management to ensure constitutional guarantees on fair labour practices translate into better working conditions.
Advocate Mudenda said workers’ committees have an important role in giving employees a meaningful voice in determining workplace conditions while fostering constructive relations between staff and management.
He was speaking at the Parliament of Zimbabwe Workers’ Committee Induction Workshop in Kadoma, where workers’ rights, fair remuneration, safe working conditions, trade union participation and collective bargaining came under discussion.
Advocate Mudenda said workers’ committees should help uphold the constitutional rights of employees and promote solidarity within the workforce.
“The Constitution says every person has the right to fair and safe labour practices and standards and to be paid a fair and reasonable rate. Every employee has the right to join an organisation of their choice and participate in the lawful activities of those unions and organisations,” he said.
He also stressed the constitutional provisions on equal remuneration and maternity leave, saying workers’ committees must ensure such rights are reflected in everyday workplace practices.
“A workers’ committee is therefore a necessary institutional mechanism through which the dignity of labour is affirmed and protected and translated into everyday practices. Your committee must embody the very solidarity it seeks to promote,” he said.
Dr Tirivangani Matare, representing the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland West province Honourable Marian Chombo, said empowering Parliament employees would strengthen the institution’s effectiveness and improve public service delivery.
“A well-informed and empowered workforce is essential for building a productive, motivated and professional parliamentary institution,” he said.
For the Parliament Workers’ Committee, employee welfare has become particularly important following the institution’s relocation from Harare Central Business District to Mount Hampden.
Parliament of Zimbabwe Workers Committee Chairperson Theodosias Makota said improved access to accommodation near the workplace would reduce fatigue and travel time while protecting the confidentiality of parliamentary business.
“As the Workers’ Committee, we want to bridge the gap between the workers and the management of Parliament for the betterment of our institution,” he said.
Mr Makota said housing closer to the workplace would also reduce the burden on employees travelling long distances to work.
The induction workshop has given the Workers’ Committee a renewed mandate to strengthen engagement between Parliament’s management and employees while ensuring workers’ welfare and rights remain central to an efficient legislature.
