We are informed that the demonstrations are meant to draw urgent attention to economic, social
and community issues. In particular, the demonstrations aim to protest against the decision of the
government to freeze and cut salaries; the amendment of the Labour Act in order to introduce a
repressive labour market flexibility regime that will give powers to employers to fire workers at will,
which will in turn worsen employment relationship and pose ready danger to industrial relations.

We also know that the demonstrations will protest the collapse of the Zimbabwean economy
highlighted by massive company closures and the attendant loss of thousands of jobs. We are
confident that workers and their unions will be pointing government to better and doable options in
the quest to rescue the economy and put people back to work.
The rights to associate and to assemble are some of the civil liberties at the heart of the African
Charter (1981) of the African Union, which Zimbabwe as a signatory and currently the Chair must be
seen to effectively uphold.

ITUC-Africa also urges the Zimbabwean government to take urgent actions to address the current
socio-economic issues that the workers are protesting about. To do the needful will be consistent
with seeking effective and genuine implementation of the spirit and letters of the International
Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966), which Zimbabwe has also endorsed. We
join the ZCTU in demanding for guarantees that will provide and secure the wellbeing and welfare of
Zimbabweans.

Solidarity forever!

Kwasi Adu-Amankwah

General Secretary