Harare, (New Ziana) –The Zimbabwe is doing very well in improving the lives of its citizens despite the economic sanctions imposed on the country, an International Labour Organisation (ILO) senior executive has said.
Briefing stakeholders including the media in the capital on Monday, visiting ILO director general Gilbert Houngbo said what he witnessed when he came to the country five years ago is completely different from what is on the ground now, as things are changing for the better.
Houngbo said sanctions affect the ordinary person, particularly rural communities, and not the elite.
“I come from a country (Togo) where I served as a Prime Minister for my country and has gone for 18 years of sanctions. So we have those sanctions and at the end of the day, I believe those who pay the price of the sanctions are the poor rural people where I come from,” he said.
He said he visited Zimbabwe about five years ago when he was president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFT IFAD).
Five years later he finds himself back in the country as ILO head and the economic climate has drastically changed, he said, as the Government is implementing a raft of measures, including introducing the local currency the ZiG, which is highly stable.
Houngbo said he witnessed a remarkable improvement in public finance management and implored Zimbabweans to work closely with the government in making the local currency work.
“So we need to build trust in the ZiG, I know it is very painful but I am very confident that you will get there,” he said.
New Ziana