By Own Correspondent

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Secretary General Tirivanhu Marimo, has called on the nation's working class to unite and take urgent action in response to the worsening poverty crisis.

Speaking at a labour forum co-hosted by the Labour Economics and Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe (LEDRIZ) and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Marimo urged for stronger solidarity among unions to address the sharp decline in wages and worker exploitation.

Marimo's remarks come at a time when salaries are at a historic low, with many mid-level professionals earning an average of just US$300 per month — far below the basic cost of living. The situation is exacerbated by the erosion of worker protections, with many employees afraid to assert their rights for fear of losing their jobs.

“We may wear different jackets, but the pain of poverty and exploitation is the same,” Marimo said. “Our divisions only serve those who benefit from a weakened working class. We must reclaim the unity that once made labour the heartbeat of this nation. When workers speak with one voice, governments listen, employers tremble, and society begins to shift.”

The ZCTU leader stressed that Zimbabwean workers are under siege, facing eroded wages and broken social protections, rendering collective bargaining a powerless formality. He also lamented the rise of informal work, which he argued undermines decent employment and exacerbates the country’s growing inequality.

Marimo further criticised the ongoing neglect of pensioners, who continue to receive minimal payouts despite their significant contributions to nation-building. He called for the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) to be a true platform of equality, rather than a rubber stamp for policies that undermine worker rights.

“If the Public Service Bill is to pass, it must protect—not silence—the voice of public servants,” he added. “And if the informal economy is to grow, it must do so with rights, dignity, and recognition.”

Marimo’s comments highlighted the urgent need for workers to come together in the face of these economic challenges, as well as the need for policy reforms that genuinely protect and empower Zimbabwe’s workforce.