By Staff Reporter
THE government, in partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the National Social Security Authority (Nssa) and the embassy of Sweden, has launched the Decent Work Communication Campaign meant to promote safer, fairer and more productive workplaces in the construction industry.
The campaign is anchored on the theme Towards Vision 2030: Building a Safe, Inclusive and Economically Empowered Zimbabwe.
Speaking during the launch, ILO country office director Philile Masuku said she expects to see companies strengthening basic safety systems, including proper induction training, routine safety briefings and consistent use of protective equipment.
Masuku said employment practices such as written contracts, fair wages and registrations for social security, which will help workers to build stability and also help enterprises to improve performance.
The construction labour sector has been marred by issues of underpayment and abuse of workers.
“Government action is equally important, building on the Construction Contractors Bill of 2025 and reinforcing the strategic labour inspection approach, conducting follow-up inspections and also aligning public procurement with good labour practices,” she said.
Masuku said the government could help to create demand for safer and fairer workplaces.
“When compliance becomes an advantage in bidding for infrastructural projects, it shifts the whole sector towards better standards.So for workers and their representatives, the pledge should encourage active engagement on safety and the confidence to raise concerns early.
“A culture where workers, employers and inspectors communicate openly is essential in reducing accidents and also strengthening trust.Ultimately, the concrete outcomes we look for are safer work sites, more compliant enterprises and a construction sector where decent work is seen as a driver of quality, reliability and growth,” she said.
The construction sector remains one of Zimbabwe’s largest employers and a key driver of infrastructural development.
However, industry is currently characterised by limited access to social protection, weak occupational safety and health practices and informalisation.
