ZiG meant to cushion workers — Minister
THE recent introduction of the new currency, Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) was meant to cushion workers and retain the value of their wages, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza has said.
Minister Mugadza said this in his address at the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions’ Workers Day commemorations held on Wednesday at Jopa Junction, in Chipinge.
Workers’ Day is celebrated annually on May 1 as International Workers’ Day or May Day, to pay tribute to the historical struggle of workers and their trade unions for solidarity and fair employment standards. This year’s global theme is: “Ensure Workplace Safety and Health Amidst Climate Change”.
“The commemoration of Workers’ Day is a recognition of the key role of workers in socio-economic development. Thus, workers should be seen as a vital cog in the socio-economic transformative agenda as we journey towards sustainable economic growth. “Government is aware that this Workers’ Day is being commemorated at a time when the country is faced with economic challenges characterised by high levels of inflation that are constantly eroding workers’ income and negatively impacting on the livelihood of Zimbabweans.
“This requires us to work together as Government, business and the workers. Government recently introduced new measures to tackle hyperinflation and currency depreciation. One significant move is the introduction of structured currency known as Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG). This initiative underscores our dedication to protecting the purchasing power of worker’s wages and salaries amidst rising inflationary pressures. By shielding workers from the adverse impact of inflation, Government wants to ensure that their earnings retain workers’ value and reliability, providing them with the much-needed assurance and stability,” Advocate Mugadza. Speaking during the same function, Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions president, Mr Afred Makwarimba said: “Thorough consultation with the working class must be made in all economic activities in the country. The working class should not be used to rubber stamp neo-liberal policies. All economic policies should go through the Tripartite Negotiating Forum before being implemented. Workers are the vanguards of the economy.
“Our economic policies must benefit the majority and not a tiny coterie of wealthy elites. Government should align itself with the workers. Workers are the real creators of the wealth.”
In his address at the same function, Chief Director in the Ministry of Public Works, Labour and Social Welfare, Mr Clifford Matorera said Government respects workers’ rights and will do everything to honour them.
“Government respects workers’ rights, and believe that their rights should be honoured. We want workers to get salaries that can cater for all their needs. This is the reason why Government introduced a new currency recently so that workers can get something tangible out of their efforts at work. We also implore employers to treat their employees fairly and this is the reason why we as Government are part of Workers’ Day commemorations,” he said.