ZCTU calls for protests against worsening economic hardships

By Tichaona Sibanda
07 November 2005

The powerful Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has blasted the country’s political elite for turning their backs on the suffering masses of Zimbabwe.

Secretary-General of the labour body, Wellington Chibhebhe said they are not happy with the current situation prevailing in the country where most of the workers have been reduced to beggars.
According to Chibhebhe this is the reason why the ZCTU is calling for a nationwide protest on Tuesday to highlight the plight of workers in the country.

There are reports that heavily armed security forces are being deployed countrywide to try and suppress the protests. But the ZCTU secretary-general is not concerned about the security build-up.
‘We are not overly worried about the police movements. They are a discredited force. These are genuine complaints we have, so they will be suppressing genuine grievances, genuine complaints.’ The ZCTU is also taking to streets because dialogue with the government has failed.

Protests are planned for the five biggest cities of Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo and Mutare.
Police on Saturday used teargas to break up protests in the five major cities by members of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) civic alliance, which campaigns for a new and democratic constitution for Zimbabwe.

The NCA, which brings together the ZCTU, churches, students, opposition political parties, women's organisations, human and civil rights groups, also opposes elections set for November 26 to create a new senate, saying the government should instead first allow a people-driven constitutional reform process to take place before it can establish the senate.