THE Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) has unveiled a research and dialogue agenda for 2026 aimed at strengthening cooperation among government, business and labour on key socio-economic issues.
The agenda comes at a time when the rising cost of living continues to erode workers’ incomes, triggering persistent demands for wage adjustments and highlighting the need for stronger dialogue between employers, labour and government to balance wages, productivity and job creation.
Established in 1998 as a voluntary body and formalised through the TNF Act of 2019, the forum plays a key role in fostering consultation, cooperation and negotiation among Zimbabwe’s social partners.
Speaking at a breakfast meeting yesterday, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions secretary-general Tirivanhu Marimo said the agenda focuses on regulating platform work, balancing wages and productivity, and addressing counterfeit goods.
“Looking ahead as to what is in the pipeline at TNF in 2026, the TNF has developed a research and dialogue agenda for 2026 aligned to National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) as well, because there are very important key pillars that are there which have a bearing on the development of the country and also the governance of the country,” he said.
Marimo said the key research areas include regulation of platform work and the gig economy, balancing wages, productivity and employment creation, and the impact of counterfeit goods on manufacturing competitiveness.
He said the agenda also covers value chain upgrading under the African Continental Free Trade Area and Sadc, safe transportation systems, and responses to drug and substance abuse, particularly its impact on the labour market.
Part of the TNF’s programme for the year includes a National Job Summit to be hosted next month under the theme: “Building Better Jobs, Advancing Employment, Green Jobs and Skills Development under NDS2.”
- Call for recognition of unpaid care, domestic work
- Chinese company accused of unfair labour practices
- Feature: Aged people haunted by abuse in Zim
- ZCTU and ILO turn blind eye to pensioners’ plight
Keep Reading
The forum is also planning a global summit on inclusive growth, decent work and investment promotion scheduled for September.
“And also the TNF will convene a national dialogue session on urban infrastructure development and service delivery, as well as the growing challenge of uncontrolled vending and sustainable livelihood alternatives,” Marimo said.
He said the TNF remained an essential platform for consensus-building and inclusive policy-making in Zimbabwe.
“Through social dialogue, research and international engagement, the TNF continues to contribute to economic growth, investment promotion and the advancement of decent work for all in Zimbabwe,” Marimo said.
TNF executive director Albert Nyakadzamba said the forum continues to strengthen inclusive governance, consensus-based decision-making and promote sustainable development.
“As the forum, let's stand as a central institution for social dialogue, providing a structured platform for engaging government, organised labour and organised business,” he said.
