Zimpapers Logo

Minister Mupfumira

Herald Reporters
All is set for the all-inclusive Workers’ Day celebrations in Harare today organised by Government as it moves in to revive the commemorations that had lost their lustre over the years due to the politicisation of trade unionism.

The celebrations come as workers yesterday snubbed celebrations organised by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions in 17 centres countrywide.

Today’s official celebrations are slated for Rufaro Stadium in Mbare.

Workers’ Day is celebrated on May 1 the world over but for convenience, Government moved the celebrations to today.

ZCTU ignored calls by Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira for all labour unions to gather under one roof for workers to re-establish links with Government.

The union reneged on an earlier agreement it had assented to at the eleventh hour.

A number of Cabinet ministers are lined up to attend today’s commemorations to hear for themselves the workers’ grievances and, time permitting, respond to some of them.

According to the provisional programme, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa will be the guest of honour.

Several labour movements are expected to deliver their messages at the event which will begin with a procession by trade union leaders from the Gulf Complex along Chinhoyi Street to Rufaro Stadium.

The Civil Service Commission is providing transport to all civil servants planning to go to the stadium.

Minister Mupfumira yesterday said today was more convenient to the workers and ministers since it was a public holiday.

She accused the ZCTU of pursuing an ulterior motive by agreeing for joint commemorations, only to make a U-turn at the last minute.

“The idea was for the labour movements to hold joint celebrations where we invite all Government ministers to listen to concerns by workers,” she said.

“Discussions started way back last year and ZCTU agreed in all these meetings including a meeting we had this year. We are surprised that they are now turning around. They have their own agenda.”

On today’s transport logistics the CSC said: “The Civil Service Commission fully supports and welcomes the initiative of going back to organise the workers’ celebrations. As employer of Zimbabwe’s largest workforce, the CSC is urging all civil servants to heed the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare call to celebrate the day at Rufaro Stadium. Public Service Commission buses will ferry all workers wishing to attend the celebrations from the usual pick-up points at 0600 hours.”

The ZCTU proceeded to hold its main celebrations at Gwanzura Stadium in Highfield yesterday that was poorly attended and even snubbed by their traditional allies, the MDC-T.

The situation was the same at all the other 16 centres countrywide, with less than 15 people attending in some areas.

Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Union secretary-general Mr Kennias Shamuyarira said all was set for today’s “united” gathering.

“We held several meetings and it was agreed during the principals’ meetings in which ZCTU led by its president. Mr George Nkiwane. was present,” he said.

“We have been organising for such an event until a fortnight ago when ZCTU turned around to say they had not been given the mandate by their general council. We were surprised but we realised that their handlers had vetoed their decision. Holding a joint commemoration would not have allowed their handlers like MDC-T to attend. They are bringing politics in labour issues.”

In response, ZCTU secretary- general Mr Japhet Moyo said the message that the call for a joint commemorations had come from Cabinet did not go down well with them.

“It has to come from social partners and not from Cabinet because that would be interference,” he said.

“We were also not happy with the fact that the letter inviting us was written by a junior officer instead of the permanent secretary as has been the case in all correspondences. The letter was written by a Ms Sibiya, a legal officer, who is a junior officer. In any event, we had already made preparations including paying for the venue.”

He attributed the low turnout to the state of the economy, which he said was not performing.

“Previously, we had people in formal employment assured of a salary,” Mr Moyo said.

“That is no longer there. People are now in informal employment. A person cannot leave his street corner for a gathering. Last year we had 24 commemoration centres but this year we only had 17 centres, all this is attributed to the economy”

In his address to a handful of workers, Mr Moyo said problems facing workers required a political solution and urged people to go and register to vote.

OFFICIAL WORKERS’ DAY Programme

Theme:

“Growing The economy Through a Shared Shared Vision and Creation of Sustainable Employment “

VENUE: Rufaro Stadium

7:00 – 7:30am: Gathering of people

7:30 – 8:30am: Procession from Gulf Complex Chinhoyi Street to Rufaro Stadium with brass band

8:30-9:00am: Arrival of invited Guests/entertainment by Police Dance Band

9:00-9:30am: Procession by the Social Partners

9:30-9:45am: National Anthem

9:45-10:00am: Introduction of Invited Guests

10:00-10:30am: Welcome Remarks

10:30-11:00am: Entertainment by Suluman Chimbetu

11:00-11:50am: Solidarity Messages from ILO, ZFTU, ZCTU, APEX COUNCIL and EMCOZ

11:50-12:00 noon: Entertainment/Tug of war

12:00-12:20pm: Speech by the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social welfare, Hon. (Sen).Mupfumira.

12:20-12:45pm:Address by Guest of Honour, Vice President Hon. E.D Mnangagwa

12:45-1:00pm: Vote of thanks

1:00-2:30pm: Lunch/Entertainment by Sulumani Chimbetu

2:30-till late: Entertainment by Jah Prayzah