President lauds workers for sacrifices during Covid-19 pandemic

Harare, (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday lauded the country’s workforce for sacrificing their lives during the Covid-19-pandemic by continuing to put in the hard work to drive the country’s economic development agenda.

In a May Day address, President Mnangagwa said the hard work was paying off as the economy was “on an irreversible path to socio-economic transformative growth and progress.”

“I want to salute and commend you, the workers, and your families for your resolve, dedication, determination and commitment to duty and country during these unprecedented Covid-19 times,” the Head of State said.

“Your sacrifice and continued endurance has kept the wheels of Zimbabwe’s economy turning.”

Following a dip in economy performance last year at the peak of the Covid-19 outbreak, the economy is tipped to rebound this year on the back of improved agricultural production and general re-opening in a new normal under the Covid-19 era.

The Workers Day commemorations come against a backdrop of employee discontentment over stagnant remuneration in an environment in which inflation continues to go up.

President Mnangagwa said the war against the coronavirus, which has infected nearly 40 000 people and killed 1 567 in Zimbabwe since March last year, was not over and government had initiated the vaccination programme to protect workers and citizens.

“In relative terms, we have done very well, but the war is not yet over,” he said, appealing for continued vigilance.
“I appeal to you all who are eligible, to go out in your numbers and get vaccinated.”

In over two months, nearly 415 000 people have been vaccinated.

Protection of workers against the pandemic was key in ensuring they continue to push forward the agenda under government National Development Programme which is anchored on increasing production and productivity across all sectors.

“I applaud all workers for growing and delivering food onto our tables, mining the minerals, increasing our exports to bring the much needed foreign currency and producing a wide array of goods and services for the sustainable socio development of our country,” he said.

“Already, we have begun witnessing increases in industrial capacity utilisation, with locally manufactured goods taking up a greater share of shelves in our supermarkets.”

President Mnangagwa said government was supporting small to medium enterprises, a key employer in the economy, by ensuring among others that they also accessed foreign currency at the auction system.

He urged workers to shun and report corruption, which was derailing efforts aimed at improving the lives of ordinary people.
New Ziana