ZCTU Central Region Hosts Subdued May Day Commemorations at Mkoba Stadium

Gweru - The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Central Region observed Workers' Day this year at Mkoba Stadium in Gweru, hosting an event characterised by calls for unity, living wages and government accountability, alongside a noticeable decline in attendance.

While hundreds of workers were present, the numbers fell significantly short of previous years, casting a shadow over the traditionally vibrant commemorations.

The low turnout became a central theme of the day's speeches, notably addressed by the Guest of Honour, ZCTU First Vice President, Valentine Chikosi.

In his address, Chikosi noted that while the stadium had been densely packed in past years, particularly in 2023, the participation this year was visibly subdued.

He attributed this decrease to several critical and interlocking factors currently reshaping Zimbabwe's economic landscape; increased informalisation of the economy, massive job losses in the formal sector due to de-industrialisation, and the active disenfranchisement and fragmentation of workers by employers.

Despite the reduced numbers, the stadium offered a variety of activities aimed at celebrating the labour movement.

Attendees were entertained with performances, music, dance, a tug-of-war competition, and a soccer match to conclude the day.

Doves Funeral Services and Go Beer also set up exhibitions at the venue, providing information and engagement opportunities for those in attendance.

Doves Funeral Services and Go Beer at Mkoba Stadium exhibiting during the commemorations.

The event saw a strong representation of ZCTU affiliate unions and was attended by former ZCTU executives, representatives from numerous non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community associations.

Among these were the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ), the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) and the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), underlining a broad base of support for workers' rights.

Also present was the Midlands Provincial Labour Officer, Lackson Maburutse, who delivered the national speech from Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Hon. Edgar Moyo.

Prominent figures in attendance included Rebecca Butau, the ZCTU Central Region Chairperson; Merjury Makunere, Gweru Chapter Chairperson of WCoZ and her Vice Takudzwa Tobaiwa who delivered a solidarity speech; several current and past Gweru City Councilors; former Members of Parliament and leadership figures from ZCTU affiliates across central region.

Mkoba South MP Issues Strong Call for Social Justice and Decent Wages

Honourable John Kuka, the Member of Parliament for Mkoba South, at the same event, delivered a solidarity message, using his platform to urge for a more profound and meaningful realisation of constitutional promises for Zimbabwe's workforce.

Hon. Kuka presented a vivid picture of the challenges faced by workers, challenging the narrative of social justice against the reality of many employees enduring prolonged periods without salary payments.

Mkoba South Member of Parliament, Honourable John Kuka.

"Too many workers in Zimbabwe continue to suffer under difficult conditions," Kuka stated. "We cannot talk of social justice when workers go for months without salaries. We have seen this painful reality in institutions such as the National Railways of Zimbabwe, in some local councils and private companies especially in Chinese companies where they do what they like."

Hon. Kuka  also said a denied salary is a fundamental violation of human dignity, rights and the stability of families dependent on that income.

He criticised the prevalent issue of wages falling significantly below the poverty datum line, even for those who are being paid.

"A full month's hard work should guarantee a decent life," he argued, "yet many workers cannot afford basic necessities such as food, shelter, healthcare and education for their children. This is unacceptable."

He closed his speech demanding that workers should be paid enough to sustain themselves and their families.

"Decent work must come with a living wage that reflects the true cost of living. Enough is enough. Workers deserve to be paid on time and they deserve to be paid fairly," he said.

The MP also dedicated a significant portion of his speech to the high rate of unemployment, particularly among young graduates who find themselves jobless despite their hope and ambition.

He highlighted how high unemployment weakens the economy, increases poverty, and undermines social justice, calling for economic empowerment strategies that include deliberate efforts to create sustainable jobs, support small businesses, and open opportunities for the youth.

Hon. Kuka acknowledged the positive initiatives of some employers, such as providing residential stands for workers, but quickly pointed out the limitations.

He said allocating unserviced land is insufficient, as "workers cannot build homes on promises."

He called for prioritising the servicing of these stands so that workers can achieve true security for their families.

The legislator also made an urgent appeal on behalf of Zimbabwe’s pensioners. He painted a touching picture of many elderly citizens living in poverty, receiving pensions that have been rendered inadequate by the rising cost of living.

"This is not justice, this is not dignity," he said. "A nation that neglects its pensioners forgets its own history," he said.

He called upon the government of Zimbabwe to urgently review pension systems so that the elderly can live in dignity.

ZCTU VP Chikosi Issues Challenge for Unity and Transformation

In his keynote address, Guest of Honour, Valentine Chikosi, celebrating his fourth visit to the ZCTU Central Region May Day commemorations as First Vice President in five years, focused on the future direction of the ZCTU and the broader labour movement.

He began by reiterating key themes from his previous visits, the ZCTU's independence from political parties, the threat of splinter unions and the need for the government to combat corruption, before shifting focus to the observed decline in participation.

ZCTU First Vice President, Valentine Chikosi.

Chikosi positioned this year as "a critical year for ZCTU," stressing the need to reflect on the past five years and shape the future of the movement.

He called for an honest self-assessment of the organisation's contribution and path.

"Let us join each other to shape the future, to reposition our organisation, to rebuild our movement, to recalibrate our organisation," he urged.

Addressing internal challenges, Chikosi strongly condemned divisions and toxicity within the trade union movement.

He appealed directly to union leadership.

"Let us defend our members and resist being weaponised to destroy the movement and the political and social cohesion among trade unions," Chikosi said.

He urged workers to resist being abused and coerced into "political ballistic missiles against each other."

Looking ahead, Chikosi challenged the Central Region to maintain and rejuvenate its spirit of hard work, coordination, resilience and the spirit of defending workers' rights.

"Mobilise for the workers. Work for the workers. Defend ZCTU. Defend the affiliates. Defend your members. Occupy your space. Take every space. Occupy every position and advance the rights and interests of workers," he said.

Acknowledging the preceding speech by Honourable John Kuka, Chikosi expressed hope that the detailed, promising and encouraging words would translate into reality.

He specifically challenged Hon. Kuka as a legislator to ensure that his commitments transcend from a speech into actionable, tangible and measurable activities.

He called on legislators to defend workers' constitutional rights and cure legislative gaps that exist, urging them to make their voices heard in parliament on labour matters.

Closing his address, Chikosi reaffirmed his personal commitment as Vice President to continue the fight for workers' rights.

"I take responsibility as the Vice President of ZCTU to continue fighting and defending the rights of, and interests of, workers of Zimbabwe... until we achieve and attain the Zimbabwe the workers desire," he said.