Second national strike stops Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe's workers on November 18 again brought the country to a standstill with the second of their weekly national strikes. The strike, called by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, was held to protest against massive increases in fuel prices and to support demands for a 20% wage increase for all workers.
The government on November 3 approved a 67% increase in the price of petrol and diesel fuel. Bus and taxi fares immediately doubled, hitting workers and the poor hard.
Riot police and helicopters patrolled Harare's townships, but there were no reports of clashes. In the previous week's stoppage, police shot dead one striker in the small town of Mutare. The ZCTU decided not to organise marches and rallies in order to prevent attacks by police and troops.
The government of President Robert Mugabe ordered troops to guard bus stations to "protect" employees wanting to go to work, but few state-owned buses or private taxi-vans operated. Banks, shops, offices and factories in Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare were closed and the streets deserted.
"The strike has had overwhelming support from the workers", said Morgan Tsvangirai, ZCTU general secretary. "We want to show this arrogant government they cannot continue to ignore our demands."