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This week marked a major milestone as Government organised and actively participated in May Day commemorations to observe and also mark the Workers’ Day. Traditionally, May Day or Workers’ Day highlights the historical struggles of workers through their trade unions for camaraderie between the working class and for fair employment standards and rewards. The importance of the day goes beyond just singing and dancing, but should cement the sentimental spirit of togetherness in working to turnaround the economy. The event provides a platform on which Government and labour can exchange messages on the various issues facing them and lay the groundwork for further co-operation in how best certain issues can be dealt with in a friendly, peaceful and progressive manner for the good of Zimbabwe.

However, for the last few years Government had left the commemorations to the various workers’ unions. As the largest employer, we believe that Government has the prerogative to critically analyse and seek to address workers issues. This sets a precedent for other employers to support their workers in every respect. We believe that Government has a significant role to play in what happens to workers in Zimbabwe. Therefore, Government should be applauded for organising and participating in the Workers’ Day celebrations. It is heartening to see Government look back and remember the country’s most important resource.

This shows Government still cares dearly about the plight of workers, even as the economy wobbles in the difficult times and after the Supreme Court ruling on three months notices.

Any employer who does not take time to reflect together with his or her employees risks losing touch with their interests. Workers are an important stakeholder in any organisation.

Workers’ Day commemorations should not to be left to workers alone. Employers should show their support to their workers. The attendance and participation by Government brings to the fore the importance of the tripartite forum.

We are sure that working with workers in organising the commemorations and attending with them provides the bond for the tripartite negotiating forum, which we all clamour for. The tripartite forum is key for the improvement of workers’ rights and plight inasmuch as it also improves the performance of companies and the operating environment, as partners understand each other’s position.

We note that a number of progressive major trade unions took part in the commemorations held at Rufaro Stadium on Monday. This is encouraging, as we are of the view that this will break the divide between workers and Government. It also provides a platform to discuss the legal framework for labour relations and labour-related policy which will ensure that the social partners’ views are reflected in the policies and laws.

We need the tripartite forum working again and hope employers and other workers’ unions will embrace Government’s gesture to dissipate any deep-seated suspicions about the sincerity of each part in resolving issues.

Those unions who decided to stay away missed a great opportunity to bond with Government and cultivate new relations. We, however, hope that the belligerent unions will see the light and join the train to better working conditions for workers. Also, workers must demand accountability from union leaders. We do not believe that all the workers in those unions did not want to attend the commemorations at Rufaro.

It may be that the leadership made a decision without consultations. There is nothing wrong and political about Government organising and participating in the Workers’ Day commemorations. Matters of the stomach were at stake not myopic linear interests of some few people at the helm of some organisations.

Those unions which stayed away are the same unions which hijacked genuine workers’ right for their selfish political gain. There has been palpable frustration by unions that workers’ issues were relegated to the periphery while their plight continued to deteriorate in a difficult environment.

The private sector, while taking advantage of workers, forcibly retired thousands of workers over the years and particularly last year until Government intervened to stop the madness and ensure a more sober way of addressing challenges. We urge Government to work with progressive workers’ representatives for the improvement of the plight of workers.