Affiliation of the Associated Mineworkers Union of zimbabwe to the ZCTU 12-03-07

 

AFFILIATION OF THE ASSOCIATED MINEWORKERS' UNION OF ZIMBABWE TO THE ZCTU

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) would like to refute falsehoods published in the Sunday Mail of March 11 2007 under the headline - "Is labour in Zim at crossroads?"

In the article one Edmund Ruzive of the Associated Mineworkers' Union of Zimbabwe (AMWUZ) is quoted as saying his union is no longer affiliated to the ZCTU. The ZCTU has not received any communication from AMWUZ disaffiliating itself from the mother body. AMWUZ was not "sent packing" as alleged but Ruzive as an individual was the one who was expelled together with Nicholas Mazarura, Joseph Midzi and Langton Mugeji. Their unions still remain affiliated to the ZCTU and actively participate in ZCTU activities.

AMWUZ does not command the largest membership amongst the ZCTU's affiliates. The Commercial Workers' Union of Zimbabwe has the highest number of members. For the record, the ZCTU does not peddle party politics but champions and fights for the protection of workers regardless of political affiliation.

The attack on COSATU is unjustified. Labour unions offer solidarity to each other the world over and there is nothing sinister in COSATU offering its support on 3 and 4 April 2007 as Zimbabwean workers embark on the two-day stay away.

The state machinery has wasted no time and has started demonizing the ZCTU ahead of the national action next month. However, the workers of Zimbabwe are sick and tired of these tactics and they will stop at nothing on 3 and 4 April to ensure that the message is sent home loud and clear. The ZCTU and its affiliates are fighting that workers earn a living wage, nothing less.

The ZCTU is saying no to exploitation of workers -currently the average minimum wage across all sectors stands at $90 000 against a Poverty Datum Line of $680 000. We will continue to take government and employers to task as long as workers do not earn a living wage. In the meantime, mobilization for the stay away is now in full swing nationwide and workers have thrown their weight behind this action.

12 March 2007

Wellington Chibebe

SECRETARY GENERAL

Khumbulani Ndlovu
Information Officer
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
P.O Box 3549
Harare, Zimbabwe

Telephone 263-4-794702/794742
Fax 263-4- 728484
E-mail i...@zctu.co.zw
Website www.zctu.co.zw