By Wezhira Munya
Please watch the attached vedio where Hon. Chibaya and Hon. Kuka spoke at ZCTU , Gweru
Yesterday, on May 1, 2024, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) in Gweru held its International Workers Day celebrations at Mkoba Stadium. The event was attended by hundreds of workers, including President Nelson Chamisa’s lieutenants, honorable Amos Chibaya, former Mkoba North member of parliament, and current Mkoba South member of parliament, honorable John Kuka, among others.
The theme of the celebrations was “Workers demand an inclusive Zimbabwe free from poverty, corruption, and oppression.” The guest of honor at this well-attended event was ZCTU’s first vice president, Valentine Chikosi.
Vice President Chikosi delivered a passionate speech, urging workers to unite and fight for better salaries and improved working conditions. He emphasized the need for workers to stand together in demanding fair treatment.
President Chamisa also conveyed his appreciation for the hardworking Zimbabwean workers, despite the failure of the Zanu PF-led government to provide salaries above the poverty datum line. The majority of workers in Zimbabwe have been suffering since 1999, and the situation remains dire.
Honorable Amos Chibaya, a veteran trade unionist who was illegally recalled by the fake Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party secretary general, Sengezo Tshabangu, expressed his disappointment with the current state of affairs. He described this year’s Workers Day as a somber occasion because workers have very little to celebrate. Chibaya urged employers to pay workers salaries that exceed the poverty datum line, which stands at $US570. Addressing the gathered workers in Mkoba Stadium, he stressed that the tripartite negotiating forum, where labor, government, and employers meet, should not be a mere talk show, but rather a platform for policy-making. He reiterated the importance of providing workers with a living wage and ensuring that citizens are consulted in decision-making processes, aligning with this year’s theme of inclusivity. Chibaya also highlighted the need to address corruption, which has become pervasive within the government.
Honorable John Kuka, another seasoned trade unionist, who previously served as the Chairperson of the Zimbabwean Urban Council Workers Union (ZUCWU) Branch and Acting Young Workers Chairperson for ZCTU Central Region, strongly criticized Chinese employers in the Midlands Province. He condemned their practice of paying workers low salaries and failing to provide them with protective clothing. Chinese employers have been at the forefront of exploiting workers in Zimbabwe. Honorable Kuka pledged to advocate for the rights of workers with disabilities in parliament, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights protected.
As part of his commitment to the cause, Honorable Kuka generously donated a cow for the workers’ day celebration in Gweru. The cow was slaughtered and served to the attendees, who enjoyed great entertainment throughout the event.
The Workers Day celebrations in Gweru served as a platform for President Chamisa’s lieutenants, Honorable Chibaya and Honorable Kuka, to highlight the pressing issues faced by workers in Zimbabwe. Their calls for fair wages, improved working conditions, and the protection of workers’ rights resonate with the demands of the labor force. It is crucial that employers and the government take heed of these concerns and work towards creating an inclusive and prosperous Zimbabwe, free from poverty, corruption, and oppression.
https://fb.watch/rP5QQs_3ia/
