Govt, business, workers urged to build trust

THE Government, business and workers need to trust each other when discussing around major economic and social policy interventions, particularly conditions of work, to be able to drive the nation forward.

Lack of trust, speculation, profiteering, corruption among others, are some of the challenges that Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) social partners have identified to be facing the Zimbabwean economy and affecting conditions of work.

Speaking at the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) Social Dialogue Retreat taking place in Victoria Falls, TNF social partners said they seem to have found each other and hope this year will be a turning point in social dialogue in the country.

The strategic planning workshop, happening under the theme: “Social dialogue for Nation Building” started on Monday and ends today.

TNF chair, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister July Moyo said the retreat is an exciting moment for Zimbabwe as it drew attendance from various ministers who represented the Government.

Organised business and organised labour also brought representatives from their various sectors and deliberation touched on the need to strengthen social dialogue, collaborate and have a common vision.

“We also brought people from the international community and some of them had been told the worst things about Zimbabwe and some had even reported to the International Labour Organisation, so this was an opportunity for them to see what we are doing and we are very happy that they listened to our regional organisation of labour.

“So going forward we are going to work together as Zimbabweans, trade unions and business in order to assist the economy. The Minister of Finance, Professor Mthuli Ncube was able to give Government’s position on how we want to work as a Tripartite,” said Minister Moyo.

He said the workshop had so far identified areas that need tightening and legislation that need strengthening and those that militate against tripartism.

“I am very happy with the developments and think that gives us the impetus. Our President likes dialogue, he has done so on the political end and he is willing to see business and labour dialoguing and we have assured everyone that Zimbabwe is open for business as he wants to move this country to another level.

“The issue of dialogue, we need to trust each other. We need to open up and bring everyone to the table to discuss, and compromise but at the end of the day dialogue must be based on moving the economy forward,” said Minister Moyo