Industrial Democracy in Zimbabwe Essay

Industrial democracy has its origins in the theories of Kurt Lewin who strongly advocated the idea that the management of change requires full participation from those affected by change (Sambureni 2001). Sambureni further defines industrial democracy as ‘a process in which employees either directly or indirectly through their representatives, share equal power over the decision-making process which management normally reserves to itself’. Industrial democracy is also defined as ‘an arrangement which involves workers making decisions, sharing responsibility and authority in the workplace (www.wikipedia.org ).As can be deduced from the above definitions, the essential feature of industrial democracy is that it gives employees or their representatives a share in the process of management. It is against this background that this essay will examine the view that ‘there is industrial democracy in Zimbabwe’ using practical examples from Zimbabwean enterprise s. Since the settler occupation in 1890, in the hierarchical order of Rhodesia, the Black stood at the lowest level. As an African, one was subjected to the overall system of discrimination, as a worker, one was also a victim of particularregulations which prior to the Industrial Conciliation Act of 1959, prevented African workers from participating in the determination of their conditions of service by excluding them from the definition of ‘employee’ (Maphosa, 1991). The colonialists promulgated laws that repressed and suppressed workers, most notably, the Master and Servants Act, hence, the absence of industrial democracy. Upon attainment of independence, the government of Zimbabwe implemented policies to address the racial imbalancesthat were created by the colonial administration in terms of industrial relations to promote industrial democracy in workplaces. Sachikonye (1985) propounds that the existence of a Labour Courtin Zimbabwe is clear testimony of the presence of industrial democracy in Zimbabwe. It is an appeal court for a variety of labour disputes. The Labour Courtprotects workers’ rights to the extent where some writers claim that workers in Zimbabwe are ‘over-protected’ by the law. This claim is supported by various cases, one of which is the case where Air Zimbabwe Senior Managers relieved of their duties in 2009 and took up their matter to the Labour Court were awarded one hundred thousand United States dollars exit packages for each manager. This is industrial democracy at its best though some critics may find it too harsh a ruling on the part of the employer who might face financial challenges caused by the unexpected expense and leaves the employer with no right to dismiss employees as the dismissed employees will appeal through the labour court which always rules against the employer.However, an International LabourOrganisation (ILO) audit carried out by Lovemore Madhukunotes that awards and judgements by the Labour Court are not immediately enforceable as they have to be registered with the High Court. Some reformists have suggested that the Labour Court should be made the court of final appeal in all labour matters and be empowered to enforce its own decisions.The audit also notes that there are no time limits prescribed for making judgements. This was contrasted with other countries where time limits, the most c ommon being 30 and 90 days are stipulated.In this case, justice delayed is justice denied thereby violating the principles of industrial democracy. According to the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013), except for members of the Security Services, every person in Zimbabwe has the right to form and join Trade Unions and employee and employers’ organisations of their choice and to participate in the lawful activities of those unions and activities. The right to form or join or participate in the activities of a trade union is protected by both the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Labour Relations Act (Madhuku, 2009). This supports the view that there is industrial democracy in Zimbabwe as it gives employee or employer organisations the right to engage in collective bargaining, organise and form and join federations of such unions and organisations. Examples of Trade unions in Zimbabwe include Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) which is the dominant central Trade Union in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) the largest and most influential Teachers’ organisation and the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU) made up of professionals in labour management, disputes and tribunal settlements among others. It is notable to mention though that in practice, members of independent trade Union organisations face harassment and intimidation from government forces and it is extremely difficult for them to carry out any Trade Union activities. Although the High Court ruled in April 2002 that the ZCTU does not need permission from the police to hold private meetings, the police have continued to interfere with its meetings, for example, on January 10 2006, armed police raided ZCTU offices confiscating computer discs and files and the government claimed to have launched an investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement by trade union leaders but ZCTU President Lovemore Matombo said it was a political move to silence the union by discrediting its leadership, hence, violating the ethics of industrial democracy. The enactment of the Labour Relations Act of 1985 in Zimbabwe bears witness to the presence of industrial democracy. The Act, according to Sambureni (2001) created a framework for the exercise of fundamental rights of workers that include termination of employment, retrenchment, dispute settlement process and HIV and AIDS regulations, unfair labour practices, minimum and maximum wages, creates a framework for collective bargaining as a source of terms and conditions of employment and also vests the dispute handling powers with the Ministry of Labour to deal with work-related disputes through mediation, conciliation and arbitration. In this case, however, one can argue that state intervention in the form of legislated minimum wages or maximum salaries has in part contributed to ineffectual worker participation in managerial decision making. In some sectors, for example the Apex Council of Public Sector Unions, the Public Service ministry set parameters within which salary increases ca n be negotiated. Such parameters constitute limits to the nature and extent of both management decision-making and workers participation in it, and hence, limits the values of industrial democracy. Another indicator by the government of Zimbabwe to promote industrial democracy is the right of workers to be represented at a disciplinary hearing, which is a fundamental principle of natural justice (Kanyenze, 2001). Section (4) (b) of Statutory Instrument 15 of 2006 entitles an employee appearing before the employer or disciplinary authority to be represented by either a fellow employee, Workers’ Committee member, Trade Union official or Legal Practitioner. All company codes of conduct and National Employment Council codes in Zimbabwe provide for the right to representation in their procedures. In the case of Vice Chancellor, University of Zimbabwe vsMutasa (1993) which involved the expulsion of three students from the University of Zimbabwe, the issue of legal representation was dealt with. However, in Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) vs John Mazvimavi (SC295/95), former Justice Anthony Gubbay left the right to legal representation as an open question as the labour Tribunal had ruled that MMCZs refusal to permit John Mazvimavi to be legally represented amounted to a violation of the principles on natural justice and the main beliefs of industrial democracy. As regards discrimination, the Labour Relations Act of Zimbabwe stipulates that no employer or person shall discriminate against any employee or prospective employee on grounds of race, tribe, place of origin, political opinion, colour, creed or sex in relation to the advertisement of employment, recruitment for employment, creation or abolition of jobs, the choice of persons for jobs or posts, training advancement, apprenticeships, transfer, promotion or retrenchment and any other matter related to employment. This clearly confirms the view that there is industrial democracy in Zimbabwe. However, cases of discrimination on grounds of one’s HIV status still exist in the Army, Health sector and the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe were employees are expected to undergo HIV tests periodically and these have a bearing on the working conditions of the employee. If the employee is found to be HIV positive, then some of their duties and responsibilities may be scrapped off their job description. It has been stated by a leading labour lawyer that, ‘There can be no equilibrium in industrial relations without a freedom to strike’ (Madhuku, 2009). In protecting that freedom, the law protects the legitimate expectations of workers that they can make use of their collective power. The new Zimbabwe constitution has a bill of rights that gives unconditional rights to strike by employees.The right to strike cannot be separated from collective bargaining as strikes are only justifiable for purposes of maintaining equilibrium in labour relations, that is, for collective bargaining purposes. In this regard, one can safely say that there is industrial democracy in Zimbabwe. However, although the Labour Relations Act recognises the right to strike, there are many procedural hurdles, including the fact that more than 50 percent of the employees must vote for a strike, followed by a 30 day conciliation period and possible referral to binding arbitration and then a 14 day advance notice period (Kanyenze, 2011). The sum effect of these delaying tactics is that it is practically impossible to organise a legal strike. In Zimbabwe Teachers Association and Others vs Minister of Education and Culture, government’s purported dismissal of striking teachers who had defied its orders to return to work was held by the High Court to be unlawful as the dismissed Teachers had not been given an opportunity to be heard. In conclusion, the essay has highlighted some evidence of industrial democracy in Zimbabwean enterprises, though the cases are not exhaustive as issues to do with amendments to the new constitution, National Employment Council and notice of hearing within 48 hours have not been discussed. The essay has also highlighted some cases where industrial democracy is compromised, for example issues to do with the right to strike and determination of minimum wages. One can therefore conclude that industrial democracy partially exists in Zimbabwe. REFERENCES Kanyenze, G. (2011) Beyond the enclave: Towards a pro-poor and inclusive development strategy for Zimbabwe, African Books Collective Madhuku, L, and Sambureni, N, T., Labour Law (Zimbabwe Open University Module Maphosa, G, J., (1991) Industrial democracy in Zimbabwe?Zambezia Sachikonye, L, M., (1985) Labour Legislation in Zimbabwe: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives Sambureni, N, T. (2001) Industrial and Labour Relations www.wikipedia.org

Cognitive and language Essay

Horizontal – vertical – actions by children, such as climbing, stepping up and down. These schemas are then developed further through the progresses of ‘assimilation’ (this is taking in new information from the environment through the childs existing patterns of actions) and ‘accommodation’ (this is modifying existing patterns of actions to accommodate new information and knowledge) and balancing it out with what new experiences they have made (this is called equilibration). Piaget emphasised his theory on the role of the individual child, where as Vygotsky’s work looked at the importance of the social world in children’s learning and emphasised on promoting through social interaction and communicating. He said that children were born to be sociable by being with parents/friends and that they acquire skills and concepts. He thought the children were incapable of learning alone but was possible with assistance (this is called ‘zone of proximal development’). Vygosky theory would be used in schools for the children’s education, hands on role for teacher, teachers scaffolding the children, giving the child a more challenging and stimulating environment then if was left to discover and learn alone. Skinner’s theory on learning is the change in behaviour as a result of reinforcement. He believed that children develop their language through imitating role models and reinforcement. Skinner found that if you praise or rewarded a child for its good behaviour the child would repeat the behaviour again (this is called positive reinforcement). He found this a more effective strategy than punishment which is called negative reinforcement. He called his theory ‘operant conditioning’. Television can influence the child’s development. It can stimulate curiosity, increase knowledge, enlarges vocabulary, it can encourages family discussions and conversation and it entertains. It can broaden the child’s experience, bringing the wider world within their reach, although television can be harmful for children when the television is on continuously, it can make conversation difficult it would also reduce the opportunity for playing, reading and writing. Unsuitable programmes watched can encourage the child to behave in an anti-social way or even frighten the child. Bandura’s theory emphasised on the children learning behaviour of observing and imitating adults/people. Including aggression, sharing, sex roles and altruism, this could be from the television and the environment around them.

Leadership Vision Paper Essay

The vision statement continues the expression of the desired service and the level of achievement necessary to achieve the mission. The values selected are those that support example of innovation-based mission, vision, and values statement (Porter-O’Grady & Malloch, 2011.) My vision statement is: To treat all patients with dignity and respect at all times. To explain not only what I am about to do for them, but why. I will provide Evidence-based research, when available, for their knowledge. I will allow them autonomy, in their decisions. I will provide each patient compassion and empathy, at all times. I will remember they are a person not just a patient. We will come to understand the vision through the various sections of this paper. The sections are: Key concepts of vision, Critique of evidence, Importance in nursing and lastly, the Summary. Key concepts of vision I believe that when a patient is given the evidence-based information in a clear and concise manner, they are in a better position to make better medical decisions. While I am providing each patient with evidence-based research, I am proving them with the necessary tools to make the informed decisions. In turn, giving them the autonomy they deserve. Being respectful, showing empathy and compassion are all easy tasks to perform, when the patient is thought of as a person, not just a patient. An example would be when I explain why I am about to perform some task, not simply that I am going to perform the task. I need to ask permission of the patient, giving them the opportunity to reject the task. It may be in their best interest to have the task performed, but, if I respect them, then I will respect their decision. Critique of evidence In an article titled, Toward the ‘Tipping Point’: Decision Aids and Informed patient Choice, â€Å"there is strong evidence that patient decision aids not only improve decision quality but also prevent the overuse of options that informed patients do not value†. Which I believe aids in better patient satisfaction. Policymakers increasingly believe that encouraging patients to play a more active role in their health care could improve quality, efficiency, and health outcomes (Coulter & Ellins, 2007). Another area that I have an important stance on is that the patient is a person, not just a patient. In an article by Danielle Ofri, she talks about a crowded waiting area where the medical assistant is yelling out the patient’s name, so cattle-like. â€Å"Nevertheless it feels horrible to me, so demeaning, like we’re in the DMV instead of a medical clinic. I want the environment to be more humane, more civilized, and so when I go out to call a patient, I use a much softer voice, with a tone that I hope conveys more respect.† Importance to nursing According to Lesly Simmons, a blogger for Georgetown University, the Nursing profession is the most ethical and honest profession for the 11th year in the Gallup survey. â€Å"Nurses have been the highest ranked profession for 11 out of 12 years.† So why is that? Nurses consistently capture patient and public trust by performing in accordance with a Code of Ethics for Nurses that supports the best interests of patients, families, and communities. They often are the strongest advocates for patients who are vulnerable and in need of support (Sachs & Jones, 2012). Summary Treating the patient as a person shows the patient that I respect them as a person. When I respect them as a person, I have more compassion and empathy for them. When I have empathy, compassion and respect for them, I can help them make better choices. By giving them evidence-based research I am providing them with the tools so they can be more informed. By being more informed, they have a better understanding of their situation. By them understanding their situation, they will then have autonomy. Allowing the patient autonomy, gains respect from the patient for the nurse. Hence, making the nursing profession the most honest and ethical profession over the last decade. So, I continue to keep my vision statement close at hand. References Coulter, Angela., & Ellins, Jo. (2007). Effectiveness of strategies for informing, educating and involving patients. BMJ 2007;335:24 O’Connor, A. M., Wennberg, J. E., Legare, F., Llewelllyn-Thomas, H. A., Moulton, B. W., Sepucha, K. R.,Sodano, A. G., & King, J. S. (2007). Toward the ‘Tipping Point’:Decision Aids and Informed Patient Choice. Health Affairs. May 2007. Vol. 26(3) p716-725. Ofri, Danielle. (2012). Humanizing Medicine and Respecting the Patient. A Sweet Life. January 19, 2012. Retrieved on January 16, 2013 from http://asweetlife.org/feature/humanizing-medicine-and-respecting-the-patient/ Porter-O’grady, T., & Malloch, K. (2011). Quantum leadership: Advancing innovativion, transforming health care. Strategies to integrate and advance innovation. 3rd ed. p149. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Sachs, Adam & Jones, Jemarion. (2012). Nurses Earn Highest Ranking Ever, Remain Most Ethical of Professions in Poll ANA Urges Policymakers to Listen to Nurses on Health Care Policy, Funding. American Nurses Association. News Release December 4, 2012. Simmons, Lesly. (2011). Nurses Most Respected Profession for 11th Year. Nursing@Georgetown Blog. May 16th, 2011.

The Impact of the New Technology and Social Isolation Assignment

The Impact of the New Technology and Social Isolation - Assignment Example However, I disagree with this position because I believe that these technologies promote isolation among individuals, promote de-socialization among the youth and promote the development of cyber friends with little or no social ties and bonds. In this paper, I will explore some of the research literature available in providing evidence for the existing controversial debates surrounding the new technological developments and my position regarding their impacts. Promoters of the new technology argue that it has immense benefits to the growth and development of the society in terms of promoting socialization and human connectedness. Amichai-Hamburgera & Hayat (2011) explores the impact of the new technology on the social lives its users. Through an analysis of a representative sample of 22,002 internet users across 13 countries, they were able to analyze the social implication of the internet and its related information communication technologies. Their study indicates that the internet has a strong impact on the users and their relationships. The study established a positive correlation between the internet use and social interactions implying that the internet significantly enhances the social lives of its users. Another key benefit commonly cited by promoters of the new technology is that it promotes the cognitive development and socialization skills among the youth and adolescents. According to Shapiro(2013), the new technology, especiall y video gaming played in the cooperative multiplayer mode encourages children and youth to play in groups. He argues that through this interaction, children are able to develop strong bonds and teams with their partners both within and outside the gaming context thus leading to improved socialization and interaction. Although many argue that the advent of the new technology is beneficial to the society, I believe that it has serious negative impacts on the children, youth and adolescents in  terms of socialization and personal development. According to Fallahi(2011), the growth of the internet and its related information technologies have negative effects on the attitudes and behaviors of children and adolescents.  

The Evolution and Importance of Advertising Essay

The Evolution and Importance of Advertising - Essay Example During the era of written advertisement, other types of adverts were even in play; one of such methods was town criers. Town crier refers to an individual who publicly announces information; this was a good method to communicate with those who still were illiterate. These individuals used to roam around a particular town announcing different types of information such as public policies, goods and services that are being sold and news paper information. Town criers are recognized the first form of aural broadcasters as they orally provided information in live form to a particular audience who were in the surrounding areas (Russell, 1993, p.25). This means of advertisement was considered better as this information was obtained by people in first hand form as compared to magazines and a newspaper in which the information is reaches the public after a short delay. Previously information used to target a larger market and advertisements were expected to bring in huge amount of returns. Now, advertisements are more niches based due to increase in merchandisers focus on customer niches. Consumer awareness have increased due to changes in educational system, now consumers can easily tell when they are being cheated or being manipulated into buying goods and services and when wrongful information is being provided to them. Advertisers have to involve huge amount of time and effort while conducting the process of creating and delivering advertisements as consumers nowadays have become tech savvy. Today, a merchandiser cannot depend on one or two tools of advertisement in order to gain the attention of consumers. Currently, if businesses have to make their advertising operations successful, they have to use Integrated Marketing Communication. Integrated Marketing Communication refers to the use of all tools and resources available for advertising to gain consumers attention. These tools range from mobile phones to internet communities, blogs and social networks. Importance of Economy and Managers Economics rule states that when consumers have more money, they tend to spend more and save less, keeping this concept in view, economy has a major impact on advertiser’s efforts. If advertisement is conducted during the period of economic down trend, when the unemployment rate is high and people have less money to spend, the efforts of advertisement fail as during that time period, people tend to spend less and save more. All businesses have a specific budget especially for advertising purpose. A manager’

Inventive Spelling, should we convert Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Inventive Spelling, should we convert - Essay Example Moreover, it allows a person to write and experiment with letters without being bound in a specific set of rules (Goswami, Ziegler & Richardson, 2005). Purpose of Inventive Spelling The purpose of inventive writing is to encourage children to communicate their thoughts without worrying if they are able to express it correctly. People who advocate the use of inventive spelling claim that children who are taught through this approach present a developing comprehension of the sounds corresponding each letter, wherein a more advanced inventive spelling approach encourages a student to write the sounds that represents the words they hear (Goswami, et. al, 2005). In addition, advocates of this approach share that students who are constantly corrected in the way they spell usually lose interest in writing and eventually develop a low self esteem. Instead of hindering a child to express his or her thoughts due to spelling lapses, the inventive spelling approach enjoins the children to write as they please, and correct them from there (Andrews, et. Al, 2005). The process of inventive spelling is one of the new means of teachers in helping their students to learn. It had been established on the premise of children's comprehension, which follows the context of encouraging children to express their thoughts first before teaching them the restrictive measures of spelling guidelines. Through inventive spelling, students are free to express their thoughts through using the letters and spelling patterns they know (Frisson,2002). In that regard, inventive spelling has been formulated towards the children's developmental process. When students use inventive spelling, the teacher would be able to identify what the child knows and doesn't know about proper English spelling. This would then help the teacher to know what aspect of the writing form she must focus on in teaching the students. In addition, inventive spelling also helps a child understand that words should be spelled ba sed on how you say them (Bowman& Treiman, 2002). As stoodents lern haw tu spel, it iz hrd tu xpek dat day wud bee eibel tu spel everi wrd korekly. It iz dan imprtan tu nat dat invintiv speling iz an aproch tuwards tradishoal speling, end nat a speling porm in itself. It ken bee regardd as an edyukeishonal tuol dat wud hlp stoodents tu lern da konvenshonal mins, by alawng stoodents tu wraite yusng invintd speling end gaid da chaildren in rekognaizng mizspeled wrdz end tich da korek ones. In diz maner, a stoodent's speling abilty wud impruv, daus enayblng dam tu spel mor wrdz korekly (Richgels, 2001). Advantages of Inventive Spelling Research indicates teaching students how to spell entails a process of memorizing words. However, inventive spelling allows children to communicate their thoughts, and later on adapt the correct form as they get exposed to correct spelling. The context of visual memory was associated with the ability of a child to visualize what a word should look like, w hich is deemed an integral aspect of spelling. On the other hand, an expert noted that visual memory can be developed through learning word patterns and using these words in the process of reading and writing, as opposed to simply memorizing a list of words (Richgels, 2001). In essence, children are able to learn how to communicate their thoughts in writing and learn how to spell these properly afterwards. This would then help students to express their ideas, without beings restricted by spelling guidelines. Through this

Reflective Report On Glo-Bus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Reflective Report On Glo-Bus - Essay Example The paper tells that the Glo-Bus business simulation exercise is a case of experiential learning. This is an important aspect of the learning process, which has positive outcomes on the learners. I consider the whole exercise educative, informative, and a fun way of learning. According to Kolb et al., experiential learning should be included in the learning process, as this boosts the quality of learning, as well as the learning outcomes. They divided experiential learning into four stages, including concrete experience, observation and reflection, abstract conceptualization and active experimentation. Therefore, reflection after experimentation counts, according to these authors. Therefore, the reflective approach argued by Kolb et al., helps me, as a learner to evaluate the impact of my experiential learning on my ideologies and on the learning objectives of the specific course. This was my first experience with an online business simulation exercise. Therefore, I ventured into thi s exercise with a lot of expectations and enthusiasm, that I would learn more business management concepts, and add on to my existing theoretical knowledge of the business processes and concepts. Additionally, this, I thought would give me a feel of what being a manager, or what being part of a management team in a high-ranking company entails and feels like. This is because, in our company, I was a co-manager, therefore, had the responsibilities of what a co-manager does in real life management cases. According to Butzen and Lee (2003), corporate leadership requires high level of discipline and integrity, especially where finances are concerned. Nonetheless, this is what this simulation experience also presented me with. The learning experience in this business simulation exercise revolved around, but not limited to the basic mechanics of operating a company. Christodoulou and Zorica