Zimbabwe joined the global community in celebrating International Workers Day, the focus remains on addressing the pressing issue of health and safety in the workplace. The annual event, celebrated on May 1st, acknowledges the contributions of workers to the nation’s development and highlights the need for fair labor practices.
In an interview on the sidelines of the celebrations in Harare, workers renewed calls for the government and employers to prioritize the health and safety of workers.
“The health and safety of workers must be a top priority for employers and the government. Workers should not have to choose between their health and their livelihoods. It is important that adequate measures are put in place to protect them from the risk of workplace hazards,” said Cosmas Nzarambuya’s a trade unionist.
Workers across various sectors have echoed Nzarambuya’s sentiments calling for improved safety standards. Another worker who works in a supermarket said there is need for regular medical checkups in the retail sector.
“We interact with many people every day, and we are at high risk of contracting diseases. Regular testing say once in two months would give us peace of mind and help prevent the spread of diseases in the workplace,” Mercy Masango
In a statement the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) lamented the safety of health professionals. “For years, health workers in Zimbabwe have clamoured for a health service and health workplace that promote and protect their rights through strengthening infection control protocols and associated provisions for infection control such as personal protective equipment
“Effective infection control protocols will not only make the workplace a safe place, but will contribute to boosting the moral and mental health of health professionals.
“ZADHR continues to urge the government to address the health and safety concerns of health professionals to prioritise the health and well-being of health professionals. It is our firm belief that a safe working place is good for the physical and mental wellbeing of health professionals,” said ZADHR
The government has assured workers that their concerns are being taken seriously and that efforts are underway to improve workplace safety standards.
