The
majority
of
our
people,
especially
the
working
class,
have
seen
immense
social
progress
over
the
years.
This
progress
was
achieved
through
our
post-1980
labour
laws,
which
recognized
human
and
worker
rights
that
we
fought
for
and
enshrined
them
in
our
constitution’s
Bill
of
Rights.
However,
the
question
remains:
how
much
progress
have
we
made
towards
achieving
our
goals
of
liberation,
democracy,
and
universal
social
emancipation
since
1980?
As
we
celebrate
International
Worker’s
Day,
it
is
essential
to
recognize
that
your
labor
is
the
backbone
of
our
economy,
and
your
dedication
is
the
driving
force
behind
our
progress.
As
the
Crisis
in
Zimbabwe
Coalition,
we
recognize
the
challenges
that
you
face
and
stand
in
solidarity
with
you
in
the
fight
for
fair
wages,
safe
working
conditions,
and
social
justice.
We
must
recommit
ourselves
to
supporting
one
another
and
advocating
for
a
better
future
for
all.
The
recognition
of
workers’
rights
in
our
constitution
and
labour
laws
did
not
come
as
a
favour.
The
workers
had
to
organize
themselves
into
trade
unions,
build
their
power,
and
wage
a
non-sexist
struggle
for
these
rights.
Today,
more
than
ever,
we
need
the
unity
of
organized
workers
and
the
working
class
at
large
to
roll
back
the
neoliberal
agenda
that
undermines
collective
bargaining.
Gender-based
violence
and
other
forms
of
criminality
continue
to
be
a
stubborn
challenge
that
the
working
class
needs
to
confront
through
maximum
unity.
Women
in
the
workplace
and
the
economy
still
face
gender
discrimination
and
abuse,
including
gender-based
violence.
This
must
come
to
an
end
through
the
common
effort
of
women
and
men
workers,
both
as
sisters
and
brothers,
united
in
pursuit
of
a
non-sexist
society.
We
implore
the
Government
of
Zimbabwe
to
restore
workers’
dignity
by
ensuring
decent
wages,
restoring
lost
pensions
and
savings,
freeing
the
labour
space,
and
re-introducing
safety
nets
in
public
health
and
education
to
cushion
the
peasants
and
workers
from
the
externalization
of
wealth
and
minerals.
We
need
to
acknowledge
that
the
challenges
faced
by
the
working
class
and
the
masses
of
our
people
are
a
direct
result
of
the
ZANU
PF
government’s
poor
governance,
corruption,
lack
of
rule
of
law,
and
dictatorship.
Therefore,
we
strongly
urge
all
progressive
workers
in
our
country
and
the
entire
labour
movement
to
recognize
that
workers
cannot
thrive
in
the
absence
of
democracy,
the
rule
of
law,
and
respect
for
human
rights.
This
necessitates
the
unity
of
the
working
class,
as
well
as
the
organization
and
mobilization
of
our
people
to
confront
the
issues
that
Zimbabwe
is
facing.
We
have
concerns
about
the
current
state
of
the
workers’
movement
in
Zimbabwe,
specifically
the
Zimbabwe
Congress
of
Trade
Unions
(ZCTU).
Lately,
the
organization
has
displayed
undemocratic
behavior
by
suppressing
freedom
of
expression.
This
was
evident
by
the
way
they
tried
to
silence
and
block
the
Coalition’s
former
spokesperson,
Cde
Obert
Masaraure
from
addressing
last
year’s
May
Day
celebrations.
The
worker’s
movement
should
be
an
open,
democratic
space
where
people
can
express
their
opinions
freely,
debate,
and
accept
divergent
views
with
tolerance.
We
urge
all
working-class
people
and
the
affiliates
of
the
national
union
to
defend
the
workers’
movement
from
capture
by
the
ruling
elites
and
capital.
Happy
Worker’s
Day,
Zimbabwe!
Post
published
in:
Featured
Staci
Kathryn
Chris
