GRACE ZVENYIKA
CHITUNGWIZA-The Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU) has urged the government to urgently convene a meeting of the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) to discuss the rampant increases in prices of basic commodities which has eroded workers’ earnings.
The TNF is a platform for social dialogue that brings together the Government, business and labour to discuss key socio-economic issues and make recommendations.
TNF founding principles and values are contained in the “Declaration of Intent Towards a Social Contract,” which the parties signed in 2001.
In an interview with The Midweek Watch ZFTU secretary general, Kennias Shamuyarira said it was high time TNF met to discuss the economy and in particular prices, which is threatening national security.
The government recently said it is engaging the private sector over the arbitrary escalation of prices which has put basic commodities beyond the reach of many.
There has been a significant increase in the prices of basic commodities such as the staple maize meal, sugar, bread, cooking oil, among others.
Two weeks ago, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mthuli Ncube and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe met concerned stake holders including manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers in an effort to resolve the impasse.
However, Shamuyarira said TNF was the correct platform to deal with the matter as it should reign in business which he said was behind the price madness.
“We have correct platforms to deal with every issue, be it judicial or legislative and TNF is the appropriate platform,” he said.
He went on to say that the TNF should declare that prices of all basic commodities should not be increased in the next 12 months in order to preserve the purchasing power of consumers.
Since its revival in 2019, the TNF has dealt with the issue of salaries being the main sticking point as workers demanded payment in United States dollars, citing escalating prices of basic commodities.
