TRADE union representatives yesterday bemoaned the death of industry in Bulawayo as they commemorated Workers’ Day at White City Stadium.
Report by Silas Nkala/ Pamela Mhlanga.
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) western region chairman Reason Ngwenya said the tragedy of this year’s celebrations was that they came at a time when many factories had been closed, with churches taking over the vacant industral premises.
“We are celebrating this year Workers’ Day during hard times for most of the workers as many companies close and their premises have been taken over by churches,” Ngwenya told about 1 000 people who gathered at White City Stadium.
“Churches are taking over vacant space in the industries and we as ZCTU appeal to all the Members of Parliament present here to assist with policies which can revive industries, especially here in Bulawayo.”
Ngwenya said it was imperative for the government to revive factories in Bulawayo and the ZCTU would push for the industrial revitalisation.
“I used to laugh at Botswana saying it is a market for South Africa in terms of labour, but this has come to us,” said Ngwenya. “Many of our people are now working in South Africa while we used to be an economic hub in Africa.”
Speaking at the same function, Christian Alliance director Useni Sibanda apologised on behalf of churches occupying industries.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“I apologise for the churches that are occupying industries,” he said. “Instead of them occupying industries for church services, they must work towards reviving them.”
ZCTU president George Nkiwane said it was unfortunate that Workers’ Day came at a time when many Zimbabweans were suffering, contrary to what they had hoped for when the inclusive government was formed.
“Low wages in both the public and private sector are the order of the day,” Nkiwane said in a speech read on his behalf by ZCTU second vice-president Rwatipedza Chigwagwa.
“The situation has not changed much from last year, the poverty datum line (PDL) is still close to $600 yet wages average between $150 and $200 and there are widespread disputes over wage negotiations and workers are resorting to courts to try to settle disputes as most employers refuse paying agreed industrial minimums.”
He said this year the ZCTU would push for the creation of employment as there could be no development if there was no employment.
A rival ZCTU faction led by Lovemore Matombo held its celebrations at McKeurtan Primary School, where Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe vice-president Nokuthula Hlabangana lamented indigenisation, saying it had contributed to the “pauperisation of workers”.
“Right now, it is shameful that Zimbabwe, which used to be the breadbasket of Africa, is now the basket case of the continent,” he said. “You may have heard that we are now importing maize from Zambia. If the much-talked-about 51% stake in the companies is not going to workers who are the majority, the sincerity of this policy is, therefore, suspicious.” At parallel celebrations at Stanley Square in Bulawayo, the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU) advised workers against joining labour movements that did not have their interests at heart, taking potshots at rival ZCTU. “Join trade unions that will stand by you in times of suffering and advocate for your salaries and safe working conditions,” ZFTU deputy administrator John Hungwe Magwaza said. “There are some trade unions such as the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, which is at White City, that workers just find in companies, but those kinds of trade unions are not doing anything for the workers.” Meanwhile, the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) said the government had failed to address class inequalities on the ownership of the means of production. In a statement posted on its website yesterday, NCA described the new constitution’s Bill of Rights as cosmetic. It said despite the inception of the inclusive government and a new constitution, workers continued to face the brunt of the ever-increasing cost of living which was compounded by stagnant salaries and wages.
