By A Correspondent- The World Food Programme (WFP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have begun cash payments, equivalent to US$12.00 to thousands of Zimbabweans living in urban areas.

This was said by United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols on Wednesday following a meeting with Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima.

Nichols called on the Zimbabwean government to negotiate in good faith with labour union leaders and to eliminate child labour, especially in the tobacco and sugarcane industries. Said, Nichols:

I met with Labor Minister Mavima today to encourage government and labour leaders to negotiate in good faith. Respect for workers’ rights will help create a more prosperous Zimbabwe.

We look forward to working with the Ministry to eliminate child labour in tobacco and sugar cane farming. Children need the education to thrive.

I told Minister Mavima that today [the World Food Programme], with [the United States Agency for International Development] funding, began payments to 103,700 Zimbabweans in 8 urban areas to help meet their daily food needs.

This will help hungry Zimbabweans buy food for the next 6 months.-newsday