Zimpapers Logo

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
The Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) Bill seeks to create a platform that will find solutions to the various socio-economic challenges facing the country at any time, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Sekai Nzenza has said.

Minister Nzenza said this while presenting the TNF Bill in the National Assembly for its second reading on Tuesday.

“The principal purpose of TNF therefore, is to assist in finding solutions to social economic challenges facing the nation at any given time on tripartite basis,” she said.

“The forum has since 1998 existed as a voluntary and unlegislated platform for social dialogue in Zimbabwe. However, there is consensus among social partners that the gains made so far by the TNF and its potential utility to the socio-economic development of the country can be fully-harnessed if it is underpinned by a strong legislative framework.

“The call for the development of the TNF legislation resonates with the provisions of Section 65 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which recognises fair labour standards and the right to collective bargaining.”

The chairperson of the TNF shall be the minister responsible for labour while the two co-chairs will revolve from business and labour organisations.

There would technical committee whose chairperson is the Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet and a managerial committee comprised of members nominated from the three social partners.