ZCTU Commemorates International Workers Day

Posted by admin on 2024-05-01 21:59:11 |

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By HARRISON JEREMIAH 

In an economy which is dominated by hyperinflation, skyrocketing prices of commodities, high cost of living and unemployment Zimbabwe Congress of  Traders Unions (ZCTU) stands firm in standing for worker's rights nationwide. 

The ZCTU held commemorations of International Workers Day were held  under the theme " Workers Demand an Inclusive Zimbabwe Free From Poverty, Corruption and Oppression" ARISE WORKERS ARISE.

In the Western region, Bulawayo District, the celebrations took place at Small City hall, with different stakeholders in attendance along the ZCTU affiliates, proletariats from different sectors such as manufacturing and commercial sectors among other sectors.

Industries in Bulawayo are operating below the expected scale, workers have been scaled down, production has gone down and workers are getting peanuts their wages are do not in their accounts in time.

These were some of the issues that the ZCTU wanted address on the workers day commemorations.

The chairperson of the ZCTU Mr Sibindi gave the opening remarks as well the introductions as he expressed gratitude towards the attendance of workers from different sectors. 

Sibindi gave an overview of the commemorations, in his remarks he mentioned that the proceedings were supposed to begin with a march from certain points within the Bulawayo CBD but the march was said to be banned nationwide by the law enforcers which are Zimbabwe Republic Police.

The right to freedom of expression as a worker was limited and violated nationwide, ZCTU condemned this behavior from the Zimbabwe Republic.

Different speakers emphasized on the poverty, corruption and oppression, Maxwell Sibanda representative from Bulawayo City Council mentioned that corruption within the industries destroys everything and it leads to the closure of companies and he went on to encourage workers to fight against corruption.

Sibanda also touched on poverty which he expressed is a result of low wages which is a major concern for the workers in Zimbabwe and worldwide.

According to various sources, earlier this year before the introduction of the so-called new currency Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), Zimbabwe was and is still facing a wage crisis, with a minimum wage of ZWL $25,000 (US$77), which unions such as ZCTU say is a poverty wage. 

The country has no statutory minimum wage, and wages are set otherwise, low wages, high unemployment, and hyperinflation have led to workers earning below the poverty line, with many employed in precarious conditions in the informal sector. 

"Poverty is a result of low wages and affects the education for children of the families of working class", said Sibanda

In his speech he touched on oppression of the employees by the employers.

He said;

"Zimbabwe is a multi-currency regime let us strive to pay the worker the currency which is acceptable at the market place and that currency is the United States Dollar"

Other organizations which were present include Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association, Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association, NSSA, ward councillors from the city of Bulawayo among other high profile people represented.

The struggle continues and the trade unions globally continue to fight for worker's rights.

jeremiahharrison290@gmail.com 

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