British trade unions demonstrate in solidarity with ZCTU

By Henry Makiwa
20 September 2007

At least 200 people gathered outside the Zimbabwe embassy in London, in protest against the repression of labour in Zimbabwe.

Several groups including the Trade Union Congress, Action for southern Africa, the National union of Journalists and the Zimbabwe Vigil participated to show solidarity with workers. The demonstration took place as ZCTU leaders remained in hiding following their pursuit by state security agents.

Zimbabwe Vigil co-ordinator Dennis Benton, said a colourful placard-carrying crowd had brought business to a standstill at the Zimbabwe house in London.

Benton said: “The protest singer Viomak has been among the performers here and labour activists from all over have come to make a statement against the continued repression in Zimbabwe.

“We know that Zimbabweans cannot protest in freedom so we have done it in a little way here to register their displeasure with the governance they are subjected to. Interestingly there was very little activity within the Zimbabwean embassy itself, and we are hoping they were on strike as well!” he said.

The ZCTU called for a two-day job boycott in protest at Robert Mugabe’s decree that froze workers wages for six months.

Labour leaders who spoke from hiding today described the strike as a success, despite its slow start and reports that most workers had shown up for work.

Meanwhile the Financial Gazette reported Thursday that state security agents had moved in to stop workers at Border Timbers and Karina Textiles in Mutare from taking part in the two-day work boycott, threatening unspecified measures against those taking part in the strike action.