The State, Labour and the Politics of Social Dialogue in Zimbabwe 1996-2007: Issues Resolved or Matters Arising?

Author: Magure, Booker¹

Source: African and Asian Studies, Volume 7, Number 1, 2008 , pp. 19-48(30)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

Drawing on primary and secondary data, this paper explores the dynamics of the politics involved in the social dialogue process in Zimbabwe; more specifically the utility of the process as a tool to resolve socio-economic problems. The paper further seeks to demonstrate the relationship between failure to reform on the political policy front and economic problems thereby explaining why social dialogue in Zimbabwe fails to yield the intended results. It is the contention of this paper that as long as governance issues are not addressed by the ruling party, the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) will forever remain a "talk shop" and the Zimbabwean economy will not improve. In light of the "politicking" that characterises the social dialogue process in Zimbabwe, the paper came up with possible recommendations for the strengthening and improving of institutions of social dialogue based on the lessons learned from Zimbabwe.

Keywords: SOCIAL DIALOGUE; TRIPARTISM; TRADE UNIONS; ECONOMIC REFORMS; POLICY

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1163/156921008X279307

Affiliations: 1: Department of Political and International Studies, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, Republic of South Africa

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