On 18 April 2025, Zimbabwe marks 45 years of independence and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) joins the rest of the country in celebrating the 45th Independence anniversary.
We recognise and appreciate the significance of this great day to all Zimbabweans and in particular the role played by patriotic freedom fighters and the masses who paid the ultimate price to liberate this country from the white minority rule.
As we celebrate this momentous day in our history and also retrace the principles of the liberation struggle for independence, obtaining developments on the ground point to a sad scenario whereby we note with sadness that the citizenry only gained political independence. Other freedoms and liberties such as economic freedom, the right to assembly and associate remain a pipe dream as a small clique is enjoying the milk and honey and fruits of independence. Most citizens are still under the shackles of socio-economic oppression.
Ordinary workers reminisce the old days’ better economic lifestyle compared to today’s suffering. Over the past few years, workers have been subjected to harsh capitalistic realities. Wages and salaries have been eroded, monetary policy changes have impoverished workers and slave wages have further compounded their predicament. Retrenchments and arbitrary firing and suspension of workers exercising their rights is also a mockery to our independence and freedom. Trade union leaders face the brunt of capital and have been arrested and harassed for executing their bonafide duties.
The country has normalised corruption, rewarding and glorifying hustlers and crooks while the majority suffer. Violence, fear, thuggery, deprivation, segregation, inequalities and repression are the order of the day. The laws of the land are not being fully upheld to protect workers and citizens. The working environment has been gradually deteriorating from independence with repressive and capitalistic laws that deter them from fully exercising their rights. The nation is under severe unemployment distress and needless taxes have been imposed on workers and citizens, of note being the 2% transactional tax. Government’s approach to addressing unemployment and informality remains lethargic with (over 85%) surviving from informal economy activities.
Forty-five years of independence has not translated into positives for the majority of workers. Workers and citizens have faced difficult hardships over the years. The standard of living for an ordinary Zimbabwean has degenerated to the extent that the capital is battling medieval bed bugs.
Zimbabweans have long been fighting to access basic utilities like water, electricity and infrastructure is dilapidating at an alarming pace. Most urban suburbs are receiving water for less than three days a week while going for over 18 hours without electricity per day. Our roads are all pot holes and no longer navigable, hospitals are in a poor state and schools do not have adequate learning components.
The ZCTU believes that the struggle for independence was fought to free and afford equal opportunities to all Zimbabweans but that remains a pipe dream for the majority. As we celebrate our freedom, it is high time we see better recognition of workers’ contribution to the economy of Zimbabwe by improvement of their conditions of work and livelihoods.
Despite all challenges afflicting workers and the labour movement, the ZCTU reassures all that it would be steadfast in defending workers’ and citizens’ rights through all means necessary. We shall continue to utilise the Tripartite Negotiating Forum to push workers’ issues but we shall remain cognisant of the importance of the ‘power of workers’ unity’, that we will invoke as and when it is necessary.
We call upon all stakeholders to retrace the vision of the late Hebert Chitepo, Joshua Nkomo, Josiah Tongogara and the fighters that did not live to see an independent Zimbabwe and reflect back to the Jewel of Africa of 1980.
God Bless Zimbabwe. Happy Independence. Congratulations! Makorokoto! Amhlope!
Kudakwashe Munengiwa
ACTING SECRETARY GENERAL
