Amnesty International and Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) claimed that austerity measures adopted by Zimbabwe will not transform the nation as expected. They note that the poor are heavily affected by the measures.
The regional director of Amnesty International, Deprose Muchena told a debt symposium that real measures should target those responsible for primitive accumulation. He said:
I can tell you today that austerity, which is not targeted at those responsible for primitive accumulation, does not lead to prosperity for the underclass that are victims of this developmental model. Rethinking our development model is the starting point. Rethink our Washington Consensus economic model, the role of the state and society.
This was echoed by Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (Zimcodd) executive director Janet Zhou who said that the measures were a burden for the heve-nots.
Zhou said:
Worse still, government cut social spending, further worsening social conditions of the poor. The main victims of the debt crisis in Zimbabwe are the least responsible for the loan contraction process and resolving the debt.
The austerity measures associated with debt repayment and re-engagement processes undermine the capacity of government to deliver social services. Women, who usually care for the young, sick and elderly in a household, take on the burden of the extra care work.
Related:
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- Chief Justice Luke Malaba Condemns Mthuli Ncube’ Austerity Measures, Says They Threaten The Rule Of Law
- Teachers Call For Civil Disobedience To Force Govt Reverse Austerity Measures
More: The Zimbabwe Independent