As Zimbabwe joins the global community in commemorating International Workers’ Day, we salute the resilience, creativity, and determination of workers across the country — from urban centres to rural communities, from formal industries to the vast informal economy.
This May Day comes at a time when the Zimbabwean labour landscape is rapidly changing. Our country is experiencing a demographic shift, with young people making up the majority of the population. Yet, many of them remain excluded from formal employment opportunities and social protections. Instead, they are turning to innovation, entrepreneurship, and informal work to earn a living and contribute to national development.
From street vendors and artisans to tech developers and digital freelancers, Zimbabwean youth are actively shaping the world of work. However, the informal economy — where many young people operate — often lacks recognition, regulation, and access to critical support. These workers face precarious conditions, limited access to finance, and exclusion from national policy frameworks.
On this Workers’ Day, Youth for Innovation Trust calls on the Government of Zimbabwe, the private sector, civil society, and development partners to prioritize inclusive investment in youth as workers. This means investing in accessible vocational training, start-up capital, social protection mechanisms, and infrastructure that supports informal and innovative enterprises. It means creating platforms for youth voices in labour policy discussions and recognizing their role in driving economic resilience.
May Day must be more than a commemoration — it must be a turning point. A future of decent work, dignity, and economic justice in Zimbabwe will not be built without our youth. They are not just tomorrow’s workforce — they are today’s drivers of ingenuity, survival, and productivity.
Let us work together to build an economy that works for everyone — especially the young Zimbabweans whose labour and innovation are vital to the nation’s prosperity.
Issued: May 1, 2025 by Thando Gwinji
Youth For Innovation Trust 