A total of 13 female members of the Zimbabwe Construction and Allied Trades Workers Union (ZCATWU) participated in a two-day workshop on Basic Trade Unionism, Labour rights, Gender, and Climate Change, held from the 12 – 13 of July 2024.
The women in trades workshop was officially opened by ZCATWU Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Fozert Mugabe who is also the Building and Woodworkers International Regional Women’s Committee Chair for Africa and the Middle East.
She said labour rights remain a fundamental aspect of the working people’s struggle and understanding these rights is crucial for ensuring safe, fair, and dignified working conditions.
“This workshop will provide you with the knowledge and tools to effectively navigate and address labour issues in your sectors,” she said.
The participants who were drawn from Masimba Construction, Grandland, Hualong Construction, Tensor Systems, and R. Davis were sensitized on the new improvements in the Labour Amendment Act No. 11 of 2023 that have a direct bearing on female employees across the industry in Zimbabwe.
In the new Labour Amendment Act women are set to enjoy increased protection from perpetrators of workplace violence and sexual harassment who now face a jail term of up to 10 years or can receive a fine depending on the gravity of the matter.
“This is a major victory for female employees, especially in the construction industry who in the past suffered various forms of abuse from their male counterparts at the workplace moreso that this sector is male-dominated,” said Garikai Jenge, ZCATWU project coordinator.
The new Labour Amendment Act has also removed conditions for female employees to go on maternity leave while paid educational leave is now provided for and can be negotiated with the employer. Employment Codes of Conduct are now subject to be reviewed after every five years failure which they will be deemed de-registered.
Participants also discussed the effects of climate change on women especially those in employment as they bore the brunt of taking care of families in times of calamities such as floods and drought.
It was also noted that the adverse impact of climate change which has seen the emergence of extreme weather conditions now requires companies to provide appropriate protective clothing to their workers that suits these adverse conditions.
It was also noted during the workshop that many workers were suffering from mental health issues because of drug and substance abuse, poor salaries, and poor working conditions.
To mitigate on this growing problem, union shop stewards were urged to closely monitor such issues and recommend suitable therapy for those affected to their employers and the trade union in an effort to seek solutions to assist the victims.
The workshop was facilitated by veteran trade unionist Fiona Magaya from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions.
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