A critical reflection of Trade union representation during Covid-19 pandemic. A case of General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe’s members in Mutare

Abstract

The Agriculture sector remains one of the key engines to the Zimbabwean economy. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has affected all socio-economic spheres worldwide, including employment and working conditions. In Zimbabwe, the agriculture sector has been declared an essential service hence workers have been working continuously but they are subject to a myriad of occupational indecency and challenges. This research focuses on investigating the representative actions of General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ) in safeguarding the rights and interests of workers in the agriculture industry in Zimbabwe during COVID-19 context. This investigation employed qualitative research method and an exploratory, multiple case study approach. The 44 conveniently and purposively selected members of GAPWUZ, HR and management from the agriculture industry were interviewed and relevant publications and media content were reviewed. This study established that COVID-19 led to new forms of employment challenges and intensified the existing challenges faced by agricultural workers such as long working hours, unsafe working conditions, and non-payment of overtime, unfair termination of employment contracts and high levels of employment precarity. This study found out that, since the outbreak of coronavirus in December 2019, trade unions have not done justice to address workplace challenges exacerbated by coronavirus pandemic in the agricultural sector in Zimbabwe. Thus, their deliverables are questionable and illusionary. This article recommends that trade unions should inspect workplaces to assess adherence of employers and workers to OHS measures meant to address the spread and effects of COVID-19. Trade unions should continuously provide training and education to workers through workers' committees and strengthen the capacity of shop-stewards to monitor and inspect fundamental rights of employees to ensure decent work.

Keywords: Agriculture sector, Coronavirus (COVID-19), GAPWUZ, Trade Union, Working conditions.