This year Workers’ Day falls shortly after the International Monetary Fund projected that Zimbabwe’s economy will contract by 5.2 percent. The contraction will most likely lead to decrease in income, increase in the unemployment rate and inflation. For Zimbabwe, the gloom has been worsened by infringement of workers’ rights and increase in the cost of living among other factors.
Appreciating that nurses’ working hours have been reduced, teachers and other civil servants’ salaries increased by 29%, it is disheartening to note that the price of basic commodities such as bread has risen by 400% from 90 cents to $3.50. This begs the question of how workers will sustain themselves and their families.
However, as the world commemorates May Day under the theme Uniting Workers for Social and Economic Advancement, NANGO encourages harmony among workers and the government to fully implement the policy measures it has put in place to bring economic development, ensure stability of the macro-economy and financial sector, introduce necessary policies to transform to a private sector led economy and stimulate growth. Government’s austerity measures should not leave workers living below the poverty datum line.
NANGO is the official coordinating body of NGOs operating in Zimbabwe. It is the largest umbrella body for non-governmental organisations and was established in 1962. It is a non-partisan, non-profit making organisation and non-denominational coordinating body of NGOs in Zimbabwe. It is mandated by its membership to coordinate the activities of NGOs, represent the NGO sector and strengthen the voice of NGOs.
Source: National Association of Non Governmental Organisations (NANGO)
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