COSATU statement on the deepening crisis in Zimbabwe 11-07-07

 

COSATU statement on the deepening crisis in Zimbabwe

The Congress of South African Trade Unions has invited the national office
bearers of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions to a meeting on Monday 16
July, to receive a full report of the deepening crisis in their country.

We are particular concerned about the skyrocketing inflation, which is
estimated to around 10 000%. The worst victims are not the ruling elite and
their friends, but the ordinary people of Zimbabwe, the workers and the poor
in particular, for whom this is a human and socio-economic disaster. More
and more are now living in abject poverty.

One consequence of the economic meltdown is the accelerated emigration of
workers to neighbouring countries and beyond, which leads to the danger of
employers lowering labour standards for all workers, through casualisation
and intensified exploitation of both migrant and local workers.

We are also worried that since the announcement of the SADC initiative led
by President Thabo Mbeki, we have not heard whether progress is being made
in the efforts to resolve the crisis, particularly in the process towards
elections planned for early next year. COSATU calls for urgency in the quest
for progress in resolving the political crisis and a simultaneously
implementing a plan to rescue the economy.

The people of Zimbabwe must not however become spectators in the search for
solutions to the problems they face and the future of their country. COSATU
calls upon SADC to involve civil society organisations in the search for
sustainable solutions to the Zimbabwean crisis, to ensure a transparent,
accountable, democratic and legitimate process.

At Monday's meeting, COSATU will be engaging the ZCTU about the way forward
and discussing plans for sustained solidarity action and intensified
pressure. Meanwhile we shall continue to raise the issues affecting the
people of Zimbabwe and organise activities in support of change and social
justice for the people.

Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson)

Congress of South African Trade Unions

1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets

Braamfontein, 2017

P.O. Box 1019

Johannesburg, 2000

SOUTH AFRICA

Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24

Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940/ 086 603 9667

Cell: 0828217456