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Communiqué on RBZ's response to the December 3 national action on cash withdrawal limit
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)
December 08, 2008

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) General Council at its ordinary sitting on December 6, 2008 in Harare to reflect on the impact of the December 3 National Action to protest against imposed cash withdrawal limit by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, and other political, economic and social challenges facing the people of Zimbabwe;

Noted that:

The RBZ had made pronouncements to increase withdrawal limit from $500 000 per day to $100 million. After consultations with the ZCTU, it was also resolved that withdrawals will be upped to $10 billion per month with effect from December 19, 2008 and that as from 12 January, 2008, workers will be able to withdraw all their salaries upon presentation of their pay-slips

It also appreciated:

The role played by civic society, union cadres, leadership and fellow Zimbabweans who took part in the National Action despite a heavy police presence in all the towns and cities of the country.

It however observed that:

Prices of basic commodities have been escalating after the announcement of the $100 million withdrawal limit.

And noted with concern that:

The prices of all basic commodities and transport were being unjustifiably raised as there has not been a salary increment, but a raise in the amount workers can access from the banks.

The ZCTU therefore warns:

The business community against unjustifiable price increases and calls for a return to realistic prices which are related to the current salaries workers are getting.

It then resolved that:

As a result of the escalating prices, the general council will consult its membership on the nature of Action it will take if the price rise madness continues unabated.

Issues of income tax where also discussed, with the general council expressing concern that the bulk of workers salaries were still being gobbled up as income tax and going to the state, leaving workers with less, in terms of their 'take home' salaries.

Having said the above, the general council reiterated that:

Zimbabwe's political crisis is stemming from the issue of governance and that it could only be resolved through the establishment of a Neutral Transitional Authority (NTA).

It noted with concern, the collapse of Zimbabwe's education and health delivery system, where teachers have stopped reporting for duty and hundreds of Zimbabweans are dying from treatable diseases like Cholera and dysentery.

It demanded the restoration of the country's education and health delivery system, and government's commitment to improving the living standards of its citizenry.

The General Council also noted with grave concern:

The recent abduction of Ms. Jestina Mukoko, the Executive director of Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), a civic society organization involved in monitoring cases of politically motivated violence in the country.

It then demanded that Ms. Mukoko be released alive by the abductors or presented before a court of law, without delay, if she is facing any criminal charges.

It also further resolved that:

The ZCTU, together with other civic society organizations, will strive to influence Zimbabwe's political dispensation which will lead to the formation of the National Transitional Authority (NTA) and the subsequent holding of free and fair elections where Zimbabweans will choose leaders of their choice.

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