THE current economic malaise has exposed government’s shortcomings.
In the past, the authorities blamed sanctions, so-called opposition puppets, whatever that means, natural disasters such as droughts, among a host of excuses.
But the failure to improve workers’ salaries, conditions of service or create employment for the youth on the part of government speaks volumes about leadership deficiency.
The West has removed a greater portion of the economic sanctions it had imposed on certain Zimbabwean businesses, some government-owned.
The lame excuses given in the past do not hold water anymore.
This means Zimbabwe can now trade freely with other countries without hindrance.
University of Zimbabwe lecturers are protesting low salaries and poor working conditions.
They say a few years ago, a junior lecturer was earning US$2 500, yet currently they are all at par, getting around US$250 and ZiG10 000.
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Yesterday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa was quoted in the State media saying: “May Day (Workers Day) is also a time to pay homage to labourers who are central to the production processes and value chains across all sectors for the ultimate prosperity of our great motherland, Zimbabwe.”
He added: “As such, decent work is a core principle under the growth and stability pillar of the national development strategy. It remains a building block for the attainment of our national vision as well as inclusive growth, poverty reduction and the consolidation of a sustainable and competitive economy.
“We are unwavering in our commitment to guarantee fair labour standards, strengthen social protection, promote employment creation and enhance social dialogue, towards the attainment of decent work.”
The last paragraph is intended to placate the battered and bruised worker, who has toiled for years only to go home at the end of each day empty handed.
The part on “inclusive growth, poverty reduction and the consolidation of a sustainable and competitive economy” is only happening in the pockets and lives of those who are close to power, who get all the tenders government advertises, the artful dodgers of our formerly great motherland.
There is no formal employment to talk about, considering that quite a good number of workers have been forced into informal employment as companies close.
There is no “decent work” to talk about today when all workers are bemoaning poor salaries and working conditions.
Workers are literally wallowing in abject poverty in an economy authorities ironically claim is registering positive growth rates year in, year out.
Some have gone for months on end without pay, amid rampant corruption laying waste to all sectors of the economy, with no end in sight to the vice.
Salaries and conditions of service must be urgently improved across the board and a sound grading system should be introduced in both the public and private sectors.
Government must facilitate employment creation by supporting local firms, promoting local brands and reducing the cost of business in the country.
It should also do away with many of the taxes that are gobbling workers incomes leaving them in penury.
Since our leaders are always in a defensive mode, they will always find a scapegoat.
But they have no basis for blaming sanctions or the West for their glaring failure.
They have presided over grand looting of companies, leading to their closure, hence they cannot pass the buck.
Today, all crevices are closed, leaving the regime no hiding place.
This brings to mid the adage: You can run, but you can’t hide.
