1/TODAY IS WORKERS DAY…A moment to thank all the workers who make the wheels of nations turn and the economies of the world tick. We stand in solidarity with the suffering workers of Zimbabwe as the World commemorates the May Day today.
2/Zimbabwe is a country without work for many. Even for those with jobs, life is unbearable. The Zimbabwean workers have been resilient under deadening poverty and very difficult circumstances. Yet, we have rampant corruption and flaunting of wealth by the corrupt few.
3/Workers have been plunged into slavery. Many workers are earning extremely low wages rendering them working poor, basically putting them in the poverty bracket. Our teachers and nurses are suffering. The civil servants are struggling. Workers in general are without a decent living wage. University lecturers who are currently on strike, are earning a paltry salary, an embarrassing $228 per month.
4/Many workers have lost their pensions and face a difficult retirement future. Zimbabwean workers literally live, work and retire in poverty.
5/Due to high unemployment and lack of government protection, many workers are stripped of their rights and freedoms. The majority are also in survivalist informal employment without social security , income security or other labour rights.
6/The level of poverty in the working class has driven many professionals to seek better opportunities outside the country.
7/That is draining the country of skiled and experienced professionals .Without experienced professionals and artisans we can not have economic recovery.
8/The Next Government-our new government will focus on restoring the dignity of workers and the strengthening of genuine social dialogue as a means of addressing the multiple problems that workers are facing.
9/We will prioritise rebuilding the economy and public services in order to create employment opportunities for the many unemployed young Zimbabweans.
10/We will end casualisation of jobs and stop job losses and retrenchments.
11/Labour laws and practices shall be reformed in order to strengthen protection of freedom of association , expression and collective bargaining.
12/Workers’ pensions shall be protected from economic mismanagement and workers must be compensated fully for the past pension savings loses. Social safety nets will be granted and guaranteed.
13/There shall be a vigorous fight against corruption that is robbing the poor workers and benefiting a few. This country has sufficient resources and potential to provide decent wages and working conditions for our suffering workers.Workers will be the happiest under the coming new government.
14/As you know, every citizen is a worker. May all workers around Zimbabwe and the world have fruitful commemorations. Workers of the world, unite!
Salute to you all the workers. Forever and always ~nc
