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NCA May Day statement
National Constitutional Assembly (NCA)
April 30, 2012

This year on May Day 2012, our country commemorates and celebrates, yet again, the efforts and struggles of workers.

All over the world, workers come together on this day to demonstrate their solidarity as workers and their support for social democracy. The date commemorates the historic struggles of working people, and is recognized in every country.

Workers in our country, filled with the conviction to build a democratic, non-racist, non-sexist Zimbabwe belonging to all who live in it, protested against exploitation. Thus, this day signifies the commitment of the workers in Zimbabwe in the fight against all forms of discrimination.

Following the advent of democracy in 1980, the new democratic government declared May 1 every year, a National May Day in honour of the contribution of the Workers in the struggle for the liberation of Zimbabwe.

Sadly, barely 12 years after attaining our hard won independence workers suffered a major blow when the black regime introduced a genocidal, economic restructuring policy, forcing thousands to be retrenched thereby relegating our workers to the abyss of poverty.

However, after the realization that the new rulers had turned oppressors working class people of our country united and fought hard in resisting unpopular and undemocratic policies.

It was also the contribution of the workers that led to the formation of the constitutional reform movement, the National Constitutional Assembly to demand a new people driven democratic constitution that respects labour rights.

In recognizing this year's workers day we urge the workers to fight against corruption which is stealing from the poor and denying them service delivery. Our workers should continue fighting for the creation of a people-centred economy, decent job, fight against high electricity price and the creation of safe reliable public transport.

Therefore the NCA calls on the government to direct its efforts to ensuring that the national economy absorbs all those who seek work, and that those jobs are secure, safe and adequately rewarding.

The workers should continue to be aware about the present coalition government's spirited and desperate effort to deny the majority of Zimbabweans their right to give views to be included in the constitution. They want to impose a constitution that is not sensitive, not only to the plight of workers, but to us all as Zimbabweans.

We urge the workers of Zimbabwe to continue to be resolute in pursuing a genuine democracy that gives value and recognition to the plight of the poor working class conditions and services including remuneration.

The workers of Zimbabwe should take a lead in rejecting the imposition of a negotiated document between the two MDCs and Zanu PF that COPAC intends to present to the public as the proposed draft constitution.

Further, we call on the labour movement to be resolute in their vanguard role in continuing the struggle for democracy, good governance and for a realization of a free and fair society.

We remain confident that the labour movement will stand ready to defend Zimbabweans right to a democratic people driven constitution.

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