Back to Index

Statement on recent media attacks calling for the resignation of the current ZCTU leadership
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)
April 15, 2005

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has of late come under a barrage of attacks from statements in the public media attributed to some ‘disgruntled’ affiliates who are calling for the resignation of the current ZCTU leadership.

The statements which are well crafted and show that a big force is behind them, have culminated into yet another article in the Herald 15 April 2005 again, with a plethora of allegations which now, because of their inconsistencies, do nothing but exonerate the ZCTU leadership of any wrong doing.

Initial allegations included meddling in partisan politics, mismanagement and corruption and recently they have taken a new twist to include working with employers to hide basic commodities, and even go on to forecast on what the ZCTU is going to talk about during the May Day celebrations.

These allegations which in anyway, are frivolous and tactless, only show that these few affiliate union leaders are being used as megaphones by a system which is burnt on creating fissures in the ZCTU thereby rendering it unable to represent workers as effectively as it has always done.

It is now very clear who is pushing for the resignation of the ZCTU leadership.

It is very naïve to believe that the ZCTU leadership is working in cahoots with employers to create artificial shortages of basic commodities when it is very clear that the country’s economy is on a down ward trend. It would be better if these employers were identified so that corrective action could be taken by the relevant authorities.

The main strategy of creating chaos at ZCTU is to pave way for ushering in a leadership that tows the government line, especially now that the ILO conference is imminent. The Government is quite aware that it did not implement some changes to the labour laws which it had undertaken to do at the last ILO conference and it would be better taking along to this year’s conference a new labour leadership who will be unable to put the government to task for reneging on its commitments.

Accusing the ZCTU leadership of shunning dialogue with government is neither here nor there. Actually as late as Wednesday 13 April 2005, the ZCTU leadership was engaged with government and employers representatives in a planning meeting for a national symposium which is in the pipeline.

It should be clear that the ZCTU, in its efforts in engaging government, would not compromise workers’ welfare just for the reward of a patriotism tag which is being clamoured for by a few affiliate leaders.

The ZCTU will always be a committed representative of the workers of Zimbabwe and this stance cannot and shall never be compromised.

PROUD TO BE ZCTU

ZCTU
Information Department

Visit the ZCTU fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP