Staff Writer
ZIMBABWE Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) highest decision making organ in between congresses, the General Council, has instructed its 34 affiliate unions representing workers across the country’s economic sectors to commence mobilisation in preparation for a mass action in demand for a living wage.
In a statement released soon after the GC’s meeting Wednesday, ZCTU secretary general, Japhet Moyo said the recent outcomes from the Tripartite Negotiating Forum fall far short of improving the plight of poor workers in the country.
“The General Council noted that working people of Zimbabwe have suffered immensely as wages have failed to keep pace with the inflationary trends. The situation has worsened rendering it practically impossible for workers across all sectors to earn the current salaries and sustain their families or be able to go to work,” said Moyo .
He said the General Council reaffirmed its position for Zimbabwe to use the South African Rand as an alternative, it however ratified labour’s negotiating team’s position of a minimum wage of $ 3 800.00 as proposed by the government as relief measure while the government stabilises the currency within six months.
“The minimum wage has to be implemented through the promulgation of a Statutory Instrument under the country’s labour laws. Failure of which workers of Zimbabwe would embark on an indefinite industrial action,” said Moyo.
The ZCTU said it noted with disappointment that although business is against indexing salaries and wages to the US dollar and exchange rate, business itself is profiteering by indexing goods and services to this exchange rate.
The General Council also noted with concern the high levels of corruptions in the country, the illicit financial outflows, and state capture by cartels and resolved to join other progressive organisations in fighting these scourges bleeding the country.
“In the meantime, the ZCTU will embark on nationwide consultations in the form of Labour Forums and workers are encouraged to come in their numbers to air their views on the form of action to be taken if the demand is not met,” Moyo added.
