Mass protests loom over job cuts

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has threatened countrywide mass demonstrations in response to the massive job cuts triggered by a recent Supreme Court ruling.

The job cuts that have caused uncertainty among the country's restive working class were a threat to the existence of trade unions whose struggle for parity and socio-economic justice could come to nothing as both private companies and government entities have condemned thousands of people into poverty.

ZCTU secretary-general Japhet Moyo yesterday said that the labour body's general council held an extraordinary meeting in Harare over the weekend and resolved to mobilize for mass protests in major cities to pressure government to urgently intervene.

Moyo said police had been notified of the planned demonstrations on Saturday. But, police yesterday said they were unaware of the plans.