Workers’ Day 2026: Unions warn of shrinking wages, fading protections as governance debate looms

Source: www.cite.org.zw

Zimbabwe commemorated Workers’ Day on Friday against a backdrop of deepening economic hardship, shrinking labour protections and growing concern over governance reforms that critics say could further weaken workers’ rights. Trade unions, civic groups and constitutional watchdogs used the occasion to highlight the widening gap between workers’ earnings and the cost of living, warning systemic failures continue to erode livelihoods across sectors. Addressing a press briefing on May 1, 2026 in Bulawayo, the Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF) said this year’s commemorations came at a critical juncture, as Parliament considers the controversial Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3.

CDF Deputy National Spokesperson Chiedza Mlingo said the proposed changes raise fundamental concerns about accountability and democratic renewal. She warned the amendment could delay harmonised elections to 2035, effectively extending the tenure of the current political establishment beyond constitutionally envisaged limits. “The erosion of constitutional safeguards directly undermines accountability mechanisms that workers rely on to demand better conditions,” Mlingo said. Most workers in Zimbabwe reportedly earn below the Poverty Datum Line, with wages remaining stagnant across both the public and private sectors while the cost of basic commodities, transport, housing and healthcare continues rising.

The ongoing crisis in the health sector has become emblematic of these challenges. Nurses have repeatedly gone on strike, demanding salaries that reflect the cost of living, along with adequate medical supplies and improved working conditions. In response, the government offered a modest salary top-up of about US$30, alongside additional payments in ZiG, a move widely dismissed by labour groups as inadequate. Teachers are facing similar struggles, with many citing poor remuneration, lack of teaching materials, and deteriorating working conditions, leading to job action, absenteeism, or migration in search of better opportunities.

Zimbabwe’s economic realities have also forced a significant portion of the population into the informal sector, with vending and small-scale trading becoming primary means of survival. However, informal workers continue to face structural barriers, including crackdowns by local authorities, confiscation of goods, and restrictions on night trading. Concerns have also been raised about working conditions in the mining sector, particularly in some foreign-owned operations, with reports of workplace accidents, violent confrontations, and alleged abuse of Zimbabwean workers persisting since 2025.

In a separate development, CDF spokesperson Jacob Rukweza said over 100 companies have closed since President Emmerson Mnangagwa took over power in 2017. Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa issued a rebuke of perpetual short-term contracts on May Day, stating that where work is continuous, employment must be secure. He also said the adoption of the National Employment Policy and Formalisation Strategy is set to have a transformative impact on overall economic growth. Acting Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Professor Paul Mavima, speaking at Dzivarasekwa Stadium, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to workers’ welfare and noted that various laws are being put in place to support international labour standards, with the National Development Strategy 2 (2026 to 2030) serving as the guiding national blueprint.

Related topics: Workers' Day, Zimbabwe, labour rights, Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3, governance reforms

Read original article →