====== Zimbabwe ======

**Region:** Southern Africa  
**Regional Economic Communities (REC):** COMESA · SADC  

→ [[https://iiag.online/locations/zw.html|View IIAG Country Statistics]]

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^ Indicator ^ Data ^
| **Governance (IIAG)** | Overall Governance score: 47.1 / 100 · Rank: 31st / 54 · [[https://iiag.online/locations/zw.html|View IIAG Country Statistics]] |

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===== PART 1 – HIGH-LEVEL COUNTRY MAPPING =====

==== Institutions and Stakeholder Database ====
(To be linked)

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==== REC Membership ====

  * COMESA  
  * SADC  

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==== Population size and size of the informal economy ====

(Content to be added)

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==== Nature of the legal system and ILO status ====

Zimbabwe operates a **mixed legal system** influenced by Roman-Dutch law and common law traditions.

Zimbabwe has been a member of the **International Labour Organization (ILO) since 1980** and participates in Decent Work Country Programme initiatives.

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==== Workers’ rights in human rights system, national labour law / social protection and scope of protection ====

Workers’ rights are governed through:

  * The Constitution  
  * **Labour Act [Chapter 28:01]**  

The framework provides for:

  * Regulation of employment relationships  
  * Protection against unfair labour practices  
  * Basic labour standards  

The Labour Act applies broadly, but many informal workers operate outside formal enforcement mechanisms.

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==== Existing laws, policy and regulatory initiatives for the protection of workers in the informal economy ====

Zimbabwe regulates informal economic activity through a combination of:

  * National labour legislation  
  * Sector-specific statutory instruments  
  * Municipal by-laws  

This creates a **multi-level regulatory framework**, particularly relevant for urban informal work.

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===== PART 2 – SECTOR SPECIFIC REGULATION =====

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==== Domestic Work Sector ====

  * **Labour Relations (Domestic Workers) Employment Regulations, 1992 (SI 377 of 1992)**  

Provides regulation of:

  * Employment conditions  
  * Rights and obligations of domestic workers  

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==== Street Vendor ====

  * **Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15]**  
  * **Harare (Vendors) By-laws, 2014**  

These frameworks:

  * Regulate street vending at municipal level  
  * Provide licensing and operational controls  
  * Govern use of public space  

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==== Waste Reclaiming ====

  * **Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27]**  
  * **Harare (Waste Management) By-laws**  

These regulate:

  * Waste handling and disposal  
  * Environmental compliance  
  * Municipal waste systems  

Waste reclaiming activities are largely informal but fall within environmental regulatory frameworks.

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==== Home working ====

(Content to be added)

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==== Gig Work and the Platform Economy ====

  * **Labour Act [Chapter 28:01]**  

Provides general labour protections where employment relationships can be established.

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==== Farm Work ====

  * **Labour Act [Chapter 28:01]**  

Applies to agricultural workers and regulates employment conditions.

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==== The Mining Sector and Artisanal Mining ====

  * **Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05]**  

Regulates:

  * Mining operations  
  * Licensing of mining activities  
  * Use of mineral resources  

Applies to both formal and small-scale mining activities.

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==== Taxi and Transport Sector (Gig-work/platform economy overlap) ====

  * **Labour Act [Chapter 28:01]**  

Provides general employment protections applicable to transport workers.

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==== Cross-Border Informal Trade ====

(Content to be added)

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===== Sources / Links =====

  * IIAG – Zimbabwe: https://iiag.online/locations/zw.html  
  * Labour Act [Chapter 28:01]  
  * Labour Relations (Domestic Workers) Regulations, 1992  
  * Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15]  
  * Harare (Vendors) By-laws, 2014  
  * Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27]  
  * Harare Waste Management By-laws  
  * Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05]  
  * ILO – Zimbabwe Country Profile