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Increase of fuel prices
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)
February 27, 2003

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is surprised and disgusted by the increase of fuel prices announced by the government yesterday.

While the ZCTU understands the general need for some price review, it is however disturbed by the utter disregard and disrespect of the social partners and agreed processes and principles at the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF).

It is ZCTU’s belief that the issue of the price of fuel is still a subject of discussion and agreement by the responsible TNF Technical Committee, which is examining among other things the pricing, procurement of fuel and energy sector reforms.

Only on Monday 24 February, the technical committee on fuel at TNF agreed that the issue of a fuel price review should be dealt with on the basis of the recommendations of the relevant technical Sub committee.

This massive fuel hike only shows that the government is not sincere in its dealings and is not taking the other stakeholders seriously.

The problem with the government is that it does not learn from the past. In 1998 there was a 68% fuel price hike which led to a two day stayaway. Again in June 2001 the price of fuel was increased by 70% and this also resulted in a two day stayaway in that year. Following both fuel price reviews of 1998 and 2001, the TNF was convened. It agreed to look at the issue of fuel pricing and procurement in its entirety to weed out corruption, mismanagement and inefficiencies that dogged the energy sector.

The unilateral announcement of the fuel price increase is a direct violation of the principles guiding the Prices and Incomes Stabilisation Protocol which also applies to fuel.

As a reminder, the TNF agreed that no party should take positions to the Media without the other partners’ involvement. This action by the government shows its complete lack of respect and lack of understanding of its obligations under the TNF.

Meanwhile the ZCTU will consult the workers on the way forward, especially on its further participation in the TNF.

Wellington Chibebe
ZCTU Secretary Genera

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