Published: 26 November 2013

THE Employers' Confederation of Zimbabwe is lobbying the Parliamentary Committee on Labour to adopt its new labour market agenda that is pushing for an amendment of local labour laws to improve productivity and curb job losses.

The agenda contains proposals on amendment of labour laws by employers who believe that the current provisions of the Labour Act are too protective of workers conditions of service. Speaking to the Herald Business yesterday, Emcoz executive director Mr John Mufukare said they made submissions to the Parliamentary Committee on Labour but are hoping that they would get an opportunity before the Committee to elaborate on the agenda.

"The debate has not started yet. Emcoz has presented a copy to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Labour and we are waiting to be called up to make a formal presentation," he said. "The current labour law discourage investment in the economy and encourages casual labour.

"We believe it is important that labour legislation encourages business to be innovative and competitive."

He added that the country's regulations on termination of employment, including retrenchment, are inflexible and there is need to introduce some flexibility.
- bh24

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