By Own Correspondent

THE Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) President Florence Taruvinga took the new Public Service and Labour Minister over hot coals in light of rampant company closures.

OK Zimbabwe, which competes against Pick n Pay branded outlets in that country, has been left with empty shop shelves, other retail operators such as Choppies and Spar have been shutting down stores. Wholesalers such as N Richards Group have also had to close some outlets while Mahommed Mussa Wholesalers has reduced shop space by 60 percent.

During a meeting to engage with the new Labour and Public Service Minister recently the ZCTU President, Florence Taruvinga bemoaned the rampant company closures.

“Organised labour today met new Min. of Labour Hon. Edgar Moyo. Team leader and ZCTU President Florence Mucha Taruvinga raised issues of company closures, erosion of workers’ wages and high prices. She told the Minister that "labour was fed up" with Chinese investors' for violation of workers’ rights,” ZCTU statement at the close of the meeting said.

Sources who attended the meeting said the ZCTU also expressed concerns over the growing number of companies scaling back operations or closing entirely due to the country’s challenging economic environment, leaving thousands of workers unemployed.

On its part, the Labour Minister’s office also acknowledged the meeting  and promised to address the sector’s pertinent issues.

“Minister of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare Hon Edgar Moyo yesterday met the country's social partners and Public Service Associations as part of his familiarisation meetings. ZCTU, ZFTU, EMCOZ and ZCOPSTU all paid a courtesy visit to the Minister at his offices at Kaguvi Building.

“Hon Minister Moyo pledged to work with social partners and public service associations to fulfil the aspirations of decent work and sustainable social protection agenda,” the Ministry said in a statement.