By Patience Gondo
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for urgent action to end the growing practice of temporary jobs in Zimbabwe’s labour market.
He said the practice undermines workers dignity and weakening economic stability.
Speaking during Workers’ Day commemorations on Friday Mnangagwa said the continued reliance on short-term and rolling contracts even in roles where work is permanent has left many workers trapped in uncertainty, with limited job security and benefits.
“The challenge of casualisation must be confronted and addressed. Where work is continuous, employment must be secure,” he said.
His remarks come against a backdrop of growing concern across Zimbabwe’s labour sector, where many employees are routinely placed on extended probation or fixed-term contracts, sometimes renewed repeatedly without transition to permanent status.
Labour unions have long argued that this trend allows employers to avoid providing full benefits, job security and protections guaranteed under formal employment.
Mnangagwa said such practices amount to exploitation disguised as flexibility and called for strict enforcement of labour laws to protect workers.
“The provisions of the law must be upheld without fear or favour and exploitation which is often disguised as flexibility, must be expunged,” he said.
The President pointed to government initiatives, including the national employment policy and broader formalisation strategy, as key tools to reform the labour market.
These measures are aimed at bringing more workers into the formal economy, where they can access social security, legal protection and structured economic opportunities.
“Formalisation is a social justice imperative aimed at restoring pride to millions of hard working Zimbabweans,” he said.
He also challenged employers to raise labour standards in line with the country’s industrialisation and modernisation drive, saying improved working conditions are essential for boosting productivity and sustaining economic growth.
“My government will do its part. I call upon employers to uphold high labour standards and workers on their part to remain committed to productivity, excellence and equality,” Mnangagwa said.
Mnangagwa also urged stronger engagement among social partners including government, business and labour unions to promote dialogue and stability in the workplace.
“Social partners are equally challenged to scale up constructive engagements as we nurture a culture of dialogue, consensus, stability and progress,” he said.
“Today, we are the builders of our great Motherland Zimbabwe. Our hard, honest work has shaped our past and is now defining our present and our future,” he said.