Table of Contents
Zimbabwe
Region: Southern Africa Regional Economic Communities (REC): COMESA · SADC
→ View IIAG Country Statistics
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Governance (IIAG) | Overall Governance score: 47.1 / 100 · Rank: 31st / 54 · View IIAG Country Statistics |
PART 1 – HIGH-LEVEL COUNTRY MAPPING
Institutions and Stakeholder Database
(To be linked)
REC Membership
- COMESA
- SADC
Population size and size of the informal economy
(Content to be added)
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.
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.
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.
PART 2 – SECTOR SPECIFIC REGULATION
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
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
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.
Home working
(Content to be added)
Gig Work and the Platform Economy
- Labour Act [Chapter 28:01]
Provides general labour protections where employment relationships can be established.
Farm Work
- Labour Act [Chapter 28:01]
Applies to agricultural workers and regulates employment conditions.
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.
Taxi and Transport Sector (Gig-work/platform economy overlap)
- Labour Act [Chapter 28:01]
Provides general employment protections applicable to transport workers.
Cross-Border Informal Trade
(Content to be added)
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