Stephen Chadenga
For decades, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has been credited as the fearless voice of the worker. In times when workers’ interests were being trampled on, the labour movement shut down industries and forced government to listen.
Today, de-industrilisation, informalisation of the work space and politicisation of the workers’ struggle has not only divided the trade union movement but witnessed its membership shrink and the once fearless voice of the worker becoming a mere whisper.
But outspoken and vibrant ZCTU Vice President, Valentine Chikosi says it is time to bring labour out of the shadows and back to the frontline.
“We can’t take a back seat and leave capital to continue determining the future of millions of Zimbabweans,”Chikosi has reiterated on many occasions.
This has become the labour activist’s signature rallying cry-a call for reclamation.
For Chikosi, the revival of the trade union movement is not just about wages and safe working conditions. It is about identity.
Chikosi’s diagnosis of the past years is bleak: poor wages, deteriorating working conditions, rights violations, a shrinking economy and inconsistent government policies.
His prescription going forward is unity.
“The time is now and going forward we must be united and fight for fair wages, better working conditions, job security, employment creation, affordable quality healthcare and education among other social services,”Chikosi says.
For the ZCTU leader, bringing the movement from its shadows means reclaiming political independence, reclaiming the moral high ground as the voice of the poor and reclaiming the shop floor power to demand a living wage.