LABOUR negotiations in Zimbabwe are being undermined by a lack of trust among stakeholders, leading to ineffective collective bargaining outcomes, according to labour experts and trade unions.
This comes at a time when workers continue to struggle to earn liveable wages, despite the existence of mechanisms like the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) and National Employment Councils.
Speaking at the Employers Confederation of Zimbabwe (Emcoz) 2024 Summit held in Masvingo last week, Schweppes Zimbabwe human resources director Phil Chitagu emphasised the importance of trust in resolving labour issues.
“As you look at the collective bargaining agreements, there are situations where we do not trust each other... and this affects the outcome. Trust is the fundamental of any collective bargaining process,” he said.
Chitagu encouraged stakeholders to offer help and support to rebuild trust.
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions secretary general Runesu Dzimiri echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the need for stakeholders to unite and work together to combat corruption and implement effective measures.
He said despite the TNF's efforts, workers were still not earning liveable wages, with the least paid government worker earning only US$360 per month.
“The tripartite negotiation forum is there to make recommendations to the government, particularly the cabinet, so this is one of the biggest tragedies that we are facing,” Dzimiri said.
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“It is very unfortunate that some of the meetings are not yielding results that are tangible as we expect because we are not the ones that make the decisions.
“Indeed, it turns out that we are representing most of the issues affecting the worker’s side, the employer’s side, or even the government’s side, but it is very unfortunate that when they are being referred to the government’s side, some of the issues are not going to be addressed as we expected.”
He said combating corruption and implementing effective measures were the collective responsibility of social partners and the government.
“On the issue of corruption, it is our duty as social partners together with the government to safeguard corruption to come up with measures to deal with corruption,” Dzimiri said.
Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Union secretary general Kanias Shamuyarira stressed the importance of honesty during negotiations and called for stakeholders to focus on creating a better environment rather than engaging in corrupt practices.
He noted that the government's decision to raise the income tax-free threshold limit to ZiG2 800 (US$110,52) in the 2025 National Budget was insufficient, as workers' wages continued to lose purchasing power due to currency volatility.
The TNF, established in 1998 as a voluntary body and formalised by the TNF Act in 2019, provides a platform for consultation, cooperation, and negotiation among workers, employers, and the government.
However, despite its efforts, trade unions are still pushing for wage adjustments and increases in US dollars to over US$500 per month.
To address the trust issues and improve labour negotiations, Shamuyarira said stakeholders must work together to implement effective measures and combat corruption.
“When we come to these meetings, we need to trust and tackle the bull by the horns because we are the ones who are suffering,” he said
Shamuyarira said trust was eroded when there were discrepancies in statutory interpretations, and employers might attempt to manipulate situations to their advantage.
“We need to cultivate discipline among trade unions to prevent them from undermining established structures. Trust is built on a conducive and secure environment,” he said.
Reflecting on the negotiations for the minimum wage, Shamuyarira said it took the government two years to agree to the US$150 as wage, which did not foster trust.
Emcoz president Demos Mbauya said there was a need to implement the resolutions that had been adopted through the TNF and from the summit to bring inclusivity and participation by all members.
“What is required is the implementation of all resolutions adopted through that platform. This method allows for inclusive decision-making and participation by all in the country’s economic recovery plans,” he said.
In recent years, trade unions have sought out the TNF as a reprieve to eroding wages and salaries, which continue to lose value owing to persistent currency volatility.
For 2024, trade unions have bombarded the country’s 48 national employment councils to convince employers to pay liveable wages.
The least paid government worker in Zimbabwe earns US$360 a month.
In October, the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions revealed it was negotiating with the government for the public sector workers to earn at least US$840 a month.
