By Own Correspondent

 A recent report published by the US Department of State has exposed rampant tensions between the country’s trade unions and  workers committees.

The report observed tensions between trade unions and workers' committees, saying employers often use the latter to weaken organised labour.

"Trade unions regarded the existence of such a parallel body as an arrangement that allows employers to undermine the role of unions," it said.

With retrenchments becoming increasingly common, many employers are now turning to temporary or contract workers — including graduate trainees and interns — to avoid severance costs and complex termination procedures.

The US noted that while the 2015 Labour Amendment Act requires employment councils to limit the number of times short-term contracts can be renewed, enforcement remains weak.

"Employers in all sectors rely heavily on temporary or contract workers to avoid having to pay severance costs and follow other onerous termination procedures," the report said.

"The government does not waive labour laws to attract or retain investment, except in the case of SEZs."

The report also reaffirmed Zimbabwean workers' rights to form and join unions, bargain collectively, and strike legally, though these freedoms are restricted for public sector employees, who can only form associations rather than trade unions.

Despite the 2019 establishment of the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) to strengthen dialogue between government, labour, and business, progress has been minimal.

The report concludes that while Zimbabwe's laws are designed to protect workers, their rigidity continues to constrain private-sector flexibility - deterring investment and hindering job creation.