Zimbabwe’s main labour body called on Wednesday for nationwide strikes in protest at the arrest of more than 100 of its officials and supporters during anti-government demonstrations.
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) called for a two-day job stay-away starting on Thursday to put pressure on the government to release its leaders and supporters, a statement issued by the labour grouping said.
The arrested activists were among hundreds of people who witnesses said had heeded the labour grouping’s call to take to the streets on Tuesday across the Southern African nation, to protest at the crumbling economy and alleged rights abuses by President Robert Mugabe’s government.
Baton-wielding police broke up the demonstrations and arrested at least 105 people, according to police figures, although the ZCTU says the figure is higher.
”We demand the immediate release of ZCTU and other civic society leaders,” said the statement signed by ZCTU acting secretary general Collin Gwiyo.
Among those arrested were the ZCTU’s president, Lovemore Matombo, and secretary general Wellington Chibebe.
The two-day strike called by the ZCTU was also intended to put pressure on the government to address the labour grouping’s concerns over high taxes, sky-rocketing prices and alleged abuses of human and workers’ rights, the labour grouping’s statement said.
Ordinary Zimbabweans are suffering the effects of 70% unemployment, inflation of more than 525% and chronic shortages of food, fuel and medicines due to a lack of hard currency to import them.
On Thursday Finance Minister Herbert Murerwa is due to present the national Budget for 2004, and workers are demanding that it address their grievances. — Sapa-AFP
Mugabe arrests opponents
Inflation surges to 526%
‘Many of us are badly wounded’