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ZIMBABWEAN workers today join their counterparts worldwide in celebrating May Day, Labour Day and/or International Workers’ Day. Workers have been celebrating May Day for the past 35 years, since the attainment of Independence in 1980. May Day celebrations date back to the 19th century and it is a day when workers are expected to have a day off, meet and network at events organised by their workers’ unions.

Despite the prevailing socio-economic conditions that have seen many companies closing shop, and people being pushed into the informal economy, the fact that some labour unions are prepared to celebrate the day should be highly commended.

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), the oldest workers union umbrella body will be holding its celebrations at Gwanzura Stadium in Harare under the theme: “Workers under siege: Arise and fight on”. We hope this is a call to action to resuscitate the economy, and not engage in violent demonstrations. The Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU) will hold its main celebrations in the city of Kings and Queens — Bulawayo.

The ZFTU theme is: “Workers united, more informed and ready to embrace Zim-Asset programmes.” This coincides with the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, and should give workers room to reflect on the role of the labour movement in nation-building. Another union, the United Food and Allied Workers’ Unions of Zimbabwe will commemorate May Day under the theme: “Towards the re-foundation of an independent, democratic and united labour movement to fight against the barbarism of neo-liberalism.”

We commend unions celebrating Workers Day because they realise that it came with a heavy price — the struggle for independence and national sovereignty. They also realise that as they get together even under such challenging circumstances, it gives them a competitive edge to review Zimbabwe’s current labour movement vis-à-vis what was obtaining after Independence. The more reason why the different workers unions should be united and be part of the solution to the current economic challenges. Their themes should also reflect an understanding of where Zimbabwe is, and where it is headed. Pessimism and antagonism are not always the best way to deal with problems. It would be a waste of an important day for the workers to come together with the sole purpose of denouncing Government and its policies because it is well-known that the situation obtaining in the labour industry is a result of a myriad of variables, chief among them, the 15-year old illegal sanctions regime imposed by Western countries. Sanctions have crippled the economies of countries like Cuba, Iran, Venezuela and Russia.

In the run-up to this important day, we hoped the labour movement will articulate its position on the Government’s economic blueprint Zim-Asset, because it is the workforce that should put life into Zim-Asset.

The economic design is not unique. Since independence, Government and other stakeholders have been coming up with economic designs and legislature aimed at creating a Zimbabwean economy, wholly-owned and controlled by Zimbabweans. This is not an overnight job, and neither is it going to be easy, because armchair critics are abundant, but the important thing is to soldier on. We also hope that workers will raise the momentum on an industrailised Southern African region, since industrialisation was the key issue at the just-ended sadc Extraordinary Summit. That buy-in from the workers will see the resuscitation of most industries that have closed down.

And, it is also imperative that today’s worker understands that Zimbabwe is part of the global village. There is cut-throat competition in that village and those that emerge as top dogs are cognisant of the rules of a competitive environment.

Some analysts also argue that the land reform programme and the indigenisation policy plus other dynamics have created a “new economy”, a new economy that needs to be understood by all, including the workers in formal employment. It is a “new economy” that has created a “new worker”, totally different from today’s worker. May Day is also for these “new workers”.

Notwithstanding, we also call on Government and major stakeholders to protect workers’ interests because it is them that partly finance Government and other social activities through their tax dollars. Workers must also be protected from unfair labour practices, and assurances must be given by Government that retrenched workers get their full benefits.

Finally, corruption is also the cancer that has affected most companies, and Government (the police and the judiciary) must demonstrate a zero tolerance to this malady. All those found on the wrong side of the law, must be brought to book. When corruption is decisively dealt with, it will restore confidence in both local and international investors.