May 1, 2025
On the occasion of International Workers Day (2025), the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (The Coalition) honours the efforts of workers across all sectors in pushing for economic development and social progress.
This important day, which was first commemorated in 1890, is a time to commemorate the struggles and sacrifices of labour movements around the world while emphasizing the protection and empowerment of the workforce.
This year, Zimbabwe commemorates International Workers Day under the national theme; “End Corruption, End Workers’ Exploitation: Workers United for Social Justice”.
The Coalition however notes with concern the continued disregard of workers’ rights in Zimbabwe which has mostly been characterised by poor remuneration, poor working conditions and victimisation of leaders of labour movements.
This spreads across the private and public sectors.
The Coalition stands in solidarity with the workers of Zimbabwe in their struggle for respect of their rights and a living wage in a free falling economy.
In commemorating International Workers’ Day, The Coalition reiterates the need for a united movement to fight for workers’ rights.
Through our Labour Forums established around the country, we continue to advocate for a united workers’ movement especially in light of the continued efforts by the government and the private sector to hijack workers’ movements.
It is an open secret that the government of Zimbabwe has successfully managed to hijack some labour movements and this has compromised the push for a living wage and improved working conditions.
Workers of Zimbabwe deserve a better alternative that will push for progressive labour law reforms.
The Coalition notes with concern the continued victimisation of workers calling for a living wage with the latest being the arrest of three University of Zimbabwe Lecturers in April this year after they staged a peaceful demonstration against paltry salaries.
This represents a complete disregard of workers’ rights (as espoused under Section 65 (1) of the constitution) by the Government of Zimbabwe.
Statistics show that over 80 percent of workers in industry are living in extreme poverty.
It is quite unfortunate that the government of Zimbabwe ( and the private sector) continues to exhibit insincerity in improving workers’ rights and continues to focus on the capture of workers’ unions and victimization of outspoken labour movement leaders.
Trade unionism should never be criminalised as this amounts to a violation of Section 65 of the Zimbabwean constitution.
Wage theft in the form of non-payment of deserving salaries and other benefits continues to worsen the plight of workers in Zimbabwe. Statistics from the International Labour Organisation show that abuse of workers in Zimbabwe has been mostly rampant from 2004 and the years that followed.
As we commemorate International Workers’ Day, The Coalition bemoans the continued violation of workers’ rights by Chinese employers who have in actual fact turned themselves into colonial masters. Cases of murder, torture, rape, non-payment, long working hours, poor working and living conditions among other forms of abuse continue to be reported at Chinese workplaces.
The Coalition demands that the government of Zimbabwe should institute a thorough investigation into cases of abuse of workers by Chinese employers.
The Coalition implores the government and private sector employers to uphold workers’ rights as enshrined under Section 65 of the Zimbabwean constitution.
Employers should uphold fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and association while engaging in honest dialogue with workers.
Workers of Zimbabwe must unite for the common good and resist the divide and rule tactics from employers- again this calls for an alternative- a united movement.
We urge the government of Zimbabwe to desist from weaponising the law against workers or their representatives.
In the same spirit, we condemn the continued incarceration of Journalist, Blessed Mhlanga who was arrested in February (2025) on charges of “publishing messages aimed at inciting public violence”.
The Coalition restates that Mhlanga is a victim of weaponization of the law.
We reiterate that journalism is not a crime and call for the unconditional release of Mhlanga.
