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special sitting of the technical committee set up by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
Secretary for Labour and Social Welfare Mr Lancaster Museka said the decision to legislate the TNF was arrived at in consideration of social dialogue institutions in other countries.
He made a reference to the National Economic Development and Labour Council of South Africa, which is considered to be one of the good models of social dialogue.
“Among some of the good practices of NEDLAC, legislation of social dialogue is one of the aspects considered to be equally ideal for our situation,” said Mr Museka.
He said a study of social dialogue institutions revealed that a large part of their success is due to the existence of an enabling Act of Parliament. This would provide for the structure, objects and functions of institutions.
“This legislative authority gives the social dialogue institutions a clear mandate and legitimate influence in the management of economic and social policy,” said Mr Museka.
The divisional head for international relations in the Ministry of Labour, Mr Poem Mudyawabikwa, said the proposed TNF Act would not supersede the Industrial Relations and Labour Acts.
“The TNF Act would be concerned with broader issues and not dwell at policy level,” he said.
Mr Mudyawabikwa lamented that financial constraints had been impeding setting up of an independent TNF secretariat.
Delegates at the meeting proposed that social partners and other stakeholders should start making financial contributions before looking up to the Government.
The International Labour Organisation and the UNDP were also asked to help in the setting up of the independent secretariat.
It was suggested that the Zimbabwe United Nations Development Programme assistance should be incorporated into the funding proposal.
It was revealed that the Ministry of Finance had this year given US$145 000 for TNF activities.
In 1989, Zimbabwe ratified the Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144), culminating in the establishment of the TNF in 1998.
At its meeting in September 2010, the TNF mandated its technical committee to come up with draft principles for the proposed TNF Act to be submitted to Cabinet.
The TNF is Zimbabwe’s social dialogue platform that brings together Government, business and labour to negotiate over key socio-economic matters.
Its existence has been as a voluntary and unlegislated chamber.
The ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Standards issued recommendations at the 100th Session held earlier this year concerning the TNF in Zimbabwe.
It said the country should include in its next report further information on the progress made to institutionalise the TNF and its contribution to tripartite consultations.
The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Commercial Farmers’ Union, Employers’ Confederation of Zimbabwe, Apex Council, the Public Service Commission and the two trade unions, ZCTU and ZFTU, also attended the TNF special sitting.