Gift Chimanikire, Zimbabwe

Last week’s protest in Zimbabwe over prices, taxes and human rights led to the mass arrest of trade unionists. Gift, from the communication works union of Zimbabwe and a leading member of the Movement for Democratic Change, called on colleagues in African countries where their political leaders support the Mugabe regime to protest. "The fight in Zimbabwe is between Mugabe and his people, and not with the white man," said Gift. UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings told delegates the time has come "to stop the madness in Zimbabwe".

"We have to push, push Mugabe out of power and we have to push, push the global community to provide the arguments to this country as to why democratic change must take place.
"If we take a stand we should be able to force this government to come to its senses."
"The Zimbabwe problem is a crisis of governance" which is having a regional impact as refugees cross into neighbouring countries.
Gift told delegates that Zimbabwe now has an unemployment rate of 75%, more than five million people are on food aid, the distribution of that food aid is being politically manipulated to benefit government supporters and 2.7 million farm workers and their families have been made homeless by the land seizures.
Yet, he said, "we have one of the richest presidents in the world. He has a palace with 30 bedrooms but he only has three kids."
New laws require trade unions to seek permission to hold meetings - and this can be refused. The agriculture union has been banned from talking to its members on the farms.
Three workers were shot during a protest earlier this year and the only independent newspaper and radio station have been bombed.
Because of the control of information emerging from the country "the Zimbabwe situation is misunderstood on the African continent".
Benson Okwaro from the communication workers of Kenya urged a solidarity campaign to support the unions in Zimbabwe.
"If we take a stand we should be able to force this government to come to its senses."
Napoleon Kpoh of Ghana said "the likes of Mugabe do not respect jobs, the likes of Mugabe do not respect justice and the likes of Mugabe do not respect equality. It’s time to push, push."