The president of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Peter Mutasa (PM) has hinted that workers will soon be embarking on a series of protests over poor salaries and working conditions.
He made the remarks during an interview with NewsDay’s Midlands Reporter Brenna Matendere (ND), during which he also bemoaned state brutality on workers and the citizenry. Below are excerpts from the interview.
ND: A couple of weeks ago, you threatened that workers would embark on protests, what is the position now?
PM: We made a call for workers and citizens to liberate themselves through collective action. We also indicated that we are embarking on mobilisation of the workers around the country. This is going on and we are almost there. We need all workers to unite first around uniform demands. In the past, we had some discord, especially with some unions in public services, especially Zimbabwe Teachers Association who supported Zimdollar salaries. Out of a nasty experience, all unions are now agreed on our demands and all are mobilising members towards collective action. An announcement of the dates and form is coming any time.Unless our demands are met, we are proceeding with serious concerted national strikes and peaceful protest action. Everyday will be a day of protest and every space an arena of struggle until we shrug off the oppressive chains of a brutal dictatorship. The Zimbabwean government is now just like the colonial regime and even worse than (the late former President Robert) Mugabe’s last days. It is sad that we ended up having such a government 40 years after independence.
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