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Locadia Mavhudzi Midlands Correspondent
GOVERNMENT is crafting a responsive legislative provision that will ensure the reduction of injuries and fatalities at the workplace as stipulated in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP).

In a speech read on his behalf by a director in his office Mr Cleto Diwa during the commemorations of World Day for safety and health at work in Kwekwe last Friday, Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs Larry Mavima said occupational health and safety for all employees in the formal and informal sectors was cause for concern.

“The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare is crafting responsive legislative provision that will ensure the reduction of injuries and fatalities at the workplace as stipulated in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP).”

“On the other hand the National Social Security Association (NSSA) is spearheading a campaign accelerate effective occupational safety dubbed Vision Zero.

“Through this, all employees are compelled to comply with safe labour standards and be visible in guaranteeing employee safety,” he said.

Minister Mavima said Government is in the process of harmonising the Occupational Safety Health Act to strengthen the informal economy as it is usually the worst affected by occupational hazards.

“The informal economy is believed to be the worst affected by workplace accidents which usually go unreported.

“Government is accelerating the harmonisation of the occupational safety and health act and promoting public private partnerships in that regard,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU) representative for Midlands Province Mr Clopas Muzungwana bemoaned the lack of respect for labour laws and poor state of roads as major contributing factors for workplace accidents.

“The poor state of our road networks is contributing to accidents while some employees prioritise profiteering at the expense of human capital.

“Health and Safety regulations only exist on paper and not in practice. It is disheartening to note that some employees are still engaging in child labour,” he said.

Mr Muzungwana also paid tribute to workers who lost their lives during Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani. Zimbabwe has so far experienced 1135 serious workplace injuries in the first three months of the year while 9 deaths have so far been recorded.