Increasing the Diaspora
contribution to the national economy is to increase their rights as well.
Position
Paper Number 3
Issued 8 July 2015
1.0 The Committee of the Peoples Charter (CPC) notes that the
development of any nation is chiefly driven by its citizens – both within and
without the country. The latter constitutes a rich cross-section of the country’s
human capital that is resident in other countries, constituted by both skilled
and unskilled labour. This population is commonly referred to as the Diaspora.
1.1 Various reasons, to varying degrees, and over different
time periods have led to many Zimbabweans leaving the country; the post 2000
political and economic instability being the most recent to have forced
citizens to leave the country.
1.2 It is currently estimated that 3 or 4 million Zimbabweans
are living abroad, the greater majority being resident in Southern Africa. A
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) paper on ‘The Potential Contribution of the Zimbabwe Diaspora to Economic Recovery’
produced in 2010 suggests that South Africa alone is estimated to
have in excess of 2 million Zimbabweans, and close to half a million in the UK.
1.3 The general trend has seen Zimbabweans migrating to
countries with more developed democratic cultures such as South Africa, the UK,
USA, Botswana, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. This postulates the absence
or lack of democracy or a democratic culture in Zimbabwe as a major push factor
influencing this outward migration.
1.4 This departure of the skilled labour component has
immensely contributed to the phenomenon of ‘brain drain’ which consequently has
had a negative impact on economic growth and overall development. This flight
of skilled personnel has had the most negative impact on the health and
education systems.
2.0 For a long time now, and especially in the wake of a deteriorating
economy, Zimbabwe has been receiving substantial support from her Diaspora.
This support has been mostly in the form of remittances to family and friends,
as well as transfers between people and organizations.
2.1 Official figures from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe show
that in 2013 alone, Zimbabwe received US$1, 8 billion through money transfer
agencies and the formal banking sector, though this represents a slight decline
from the 2012 figures of around US$2, 1 billion.
2.2 The government of Zimbabwe has as a result moved to
capitalize on this reality with manoeuvres being made to tap from this huge inflow
of funds so that the local economy benefits from Diaspora savings.
2.3 Recently the Minister of Finance has proposed for the
government to formalize platforms for engagement with the Diaspora through the
Zimbabwe Diaspora Home Interface Programme (ZDHIP).
2.4 This is emanating from the reality that the vast majority
of remittances to Zimbabwe by her Diaspora are not coming through official
government channels, from which the government can tap into and be able to
drive the Diaspora savings’ contribution to the national economy.
2.5 Many cite distrust of the government by its citizens as
the main reason, especially in its (government’s) handling of the banking
sector in particular, and the economy in general.
3.0 However, these enthusiastic manoeuvres to tap into the
contribution of the Diaspora have not been matched by equal enthusiasm to
accord the Diaspora their rights as legitimate, well-serving and patriotic
citizens of Zimbabwe.
3.1 Of particular concern is the constant denial, despite
spirited albeit false claims by the drafters of our constitution of the
inclusion of the provision for a Diaspora vote, which does not exist in the current
national constitution.
3.2 This contempt for the Diaspora by the regime is also
noted in the silence of key blueprints such as Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable
Socio-Economic Transformation (ZimAsset) which fails to capture the contribution
of the Zimbabwean Diaspora to the establishment of a genuinely sustainable socio-economic
transformation.
3.3 Indeed, and to the contrary, we have had to listen time
and again as Zanu PF and at times government representatives pour scorn on the
Diaspora for having exercised their right to search for greener pastures
outside Zimbabwe as the economy continues to deteriorate.
3.4 While a significant majority has left the country for
chiefly economic reasons, an almost equal proportion cite bad governance and
politics as the reason compelling their departure to other countries. Some have
genuinely fled persecution of all kind from the ruling elite as it has used
every possible trick in the book to hold on to power.
4.0 It is the humble submission of the Committee of the
Peoples Charter (CPC) that any engagement with the Zimbabwean Diaspora
especially where it pertains to their contribution to the development of the
nation should be hinged on the genuine recognition of Zimbabweans abroad, as
full and legitimate citizens of this country, with equal rights and
opportunities as citizens resident in the country.
4.1 The government should genuinely recognize the Diaspora as
part of our country’s demography and therefore ensure that the same rights as
enjoyed by citizens resident in the country are also accorded to and enjoyed by
the Diaspora.
4.2 Chief among these rights is the right to be involved in
the governance of their country; this by being accorded the constitutionally
prescribed right to ‘vote in all elections and referendums’.
4.3 There is no judicious reason for the Zimbabwean Diaspora
to be denied this fundamental right to participate in elections from which-ever
country they are resident, through the same means by which other citizens
resident, such as state employees at foreign embassies in the Diaspora are
accorded an opportunity to vote.
4.4 The inherent right of the Diaspora to contribute to the
national economy and to the general development of the country should be
matched by the enjoyment of the Diaspora of all fundamental rights and freedoms
that are accorded to all citizens of Zimbabwe by the national constitution.
5.0 It should be inherent upon government to ensure that it
engages with all its citizens, both within and outside the country, so that it
is primarily the needs, wishes and aspirations of these citizens that informs
national progress and development.
5.1 This should ideally begin with the inclusive drafting of
a holistic Diaspora Policy Paper that takes into consideration the needs of all
citizens; taking into consideration the existence of both push and pull factors
influencing outward migration from Zimbabwe.
5.2 Serious thought should be made by all stakeholders,
including government, business and civil society actors towards the formulation
of an inclusive ‘Framework for Re-engaging the Diaspora’. This should take into
consideration the diversity that exists within the Diaspora and how they also
feed into various spheres of the well-functioning of the nation state.
5.3 Government must also take it as its chief responsibility,
to creating an environment that will encourage its citizens to stay in the
country and also more importantly encourage those outside to return, and
champion the development and progress of the nation.
5.4 Consideration should also be put on building the
confidence and collective trust of citizens in the governance and overall
macro-economic management of the country, as basics, in retaining as well as
attracting skilled labour in both the private and public sectors.
5.5 It should be noted that while Diaspora remittances may be
critical in supporting households and alleviating poverty in the short-term, the
return of skilled labour in both the public and private sectors can be a sure
cog in the long term economic stability and development of the country.
5.6 It is and should be one of the government’s key
priorities to ensure that the environment in the country is sufficient to
accord all citizens, without discrimination on whatever grounds, equal
opportunities and right to self-actualization; this in pursuit of a socially
just, democratic and open society, based on the fundamental ideal of a social
democratic state, where citizens own and drive national processes, progress and
development.
Issued by the Diaspora
and International Solidarity Committee of the Committee of the Peoples
Charter
No comments:
Post a Comment