Upcoming event – National Dialogue on Future of Work: Zimbabwe

(ILO Harare) In 2019, the ILO will celebrate its 100th anniversary. This provides an opportunity to reflect on the significant progress that has been made in advancement of the decent work agenda and the broader pursuit of social justice since 1919. It is also timely to reflect on the role the ILO has to play in this twenty-first century. Watch The Future of Work Centenary Initiative video. To mark the centenary in 2019, the ILO Governing Body endorsed seven centenary initiatives namely

1. the governance initiative
2. the standards initiative
3. the green initiative
4. the enterprises initiative
5. the end to poverty initiative
6. the women at work initiative and
7. the future of work initiative.

The ILO in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe, Workers and Employers initiated a “Future of Work”, campaign in April 2016. The initiative seeks to allow dialogue on the emerging and future changes in the world of work. The conversations should also deepen stakeholder’s appreciation of impending transformations in order to meet effectively the policy challenges it poses and so advance our shared commitment to decent work for all and the Organization’s mandate for global social justice. See meeting concept note and meeting draft agenda.

The dialogue has occurred in various forms, including the following:

School Competition for Grade 6 Students

Children from three schools (an upmarket city school; peri-urban informal settlement based and a rural school) were invited to submit a one page essay or art work on what they hope to find at the work place when they complete higher or tertiary education (assuming they go to university – this will be 10 years from today) an insight into their aspirations. Click here for the poster for the competition

Young people

An advertisement was disseminated through social media, providing a WhatsApp phone number and inviting young people to make submissions on their views about the future of work – “the future of work in 20 words”. A number of submissions were received and a draft analysis of young people’s voices has been prepared.

In addition to the online discussions, the Office collaborated with the Space, Zimbabwe’s only international platform convened by young people designed to discuss issues of concern to young people. This year’s event was convened on 16 September 2016. Part of the discussion was on the future of work. Panellists for this discussion were H.E. Ambassador Catriona Laing (UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe); Dr. Nginya Mungai Lenneiye (Founder and Convener of Innovation Baraza); Ms. Natalie Jabangwe (CEO Ecocash) and Dr. Prosper Chitambara (Economist, LEDRIZ). The discussion on the future of work, paid special attention to policy options that could ensure Zimbabwe is an inclusive society. Key highlights from the discussion were presented in a discussion paper. You may also view the video clip from the meeting.

Thought leaders survey

An online questionnaire (Survey Monkey) was developed and administered to experts in various technical fields relevant to the decent work agenda and who have an impact on policy making. The questions probed the respondents across all the seven centenary initiatives, with a special focus on:

• Work and society
• Decent jobs for all
• The organization of work and production
• The governance of work

The respondents were drawn from key government ministries ; employers and business associations; workers associations; academic institutions; human resources practitioners; labour law experts; audit firms; HR consultants; development partners; industrialists; economic analysts and civil society. A draft paper has been prepared synthesising the outcomes.

The women at work initiative

A consultant was engaged to undertake research on the status of women in Zimbabwe and the future of work for women. A one day symposium was discussed to validate the findings and make recommendations on what Zimbabwe can do to ensure equality is a reality in the future. See 3rd Draft Discussion paper - Future of Work for Women in Zimbabwe and the Future of women at work photo gallery.

In line with the above, a meeting titled Dialogue on Future of Work, will be held on 18 November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Harare, Zimbabwe. CO Harare will convene a half day tripartite led discussion on the various outcomes from the aforementioned processes, as well as to provide the tripartite partners an opportunity to weigh in on the emerging ideas and share their insights on the future of work. The outcome from this meeting will be a discussion paper on the future of work, forecasting the path Zimbabwe is likely to take in the future in relation to gender equality in the workplace; labour market governance; labour standards; the green economy; enterprises and poverty.