Body:

State police in Zimbabwe brutally suppressed a mass strike planned for April 3-4 by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU). In late March and early April, riot police armed with batons, attack dogs, and semi-automatic rifles stormed nightclubs, restaurants, and bars, indiscriminately attacking patrons. Police reportedly targeted these sites as possible gathering places for strikers. They also raided and ransacked ZCTU offices, beating and arresting union members and officials.

Annual inflation in Zimbabwe stands at 1,700 percent, while 80 percent of the workforce is unemployed. Average income is less than $1 a day. Unions protesting government mismanagement of the economy and the lack of access to food and medical supplies are routinely met with violent attacks.

Government repression of union activity has been increasingly severe since the reelection of President Robert Mugabe in 2002. In 2005, Mugabe directed a “clean-up campaign” aimed at destroying the livelihood of workers in the informal economy.

Wellington Chibebe, secretary-general of the ZCTU, has vowed to continue protesting mismanagement of the economy and repression of union activity: “We have made a resolution at the general council that we will embark on mass action every three months until things come right. So whether or not the government and business respond to our calls, we know they will eventually listen and address our demands.”

To express your solidarity with the ZCTU and workers in Zimbabwe, write to: ZCTU, P.O. Box 3549, Harare, Zimbabwe or by email to info AT zctu.co.zw. To write a letter protesting government abuse of unions, visit LabourStart, and click on the ‘Zimbabwe’ link under the ‘Act Now!’ heading. On the next web page, you will find a sample letter and a list of government email addresses.

Expiration Date:
Thu, 05/31/2007 - 11:59pm