PREVIEW OF LABOR'S PLANS FOR NATIONWIDE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 001130 SIPDIS SIPDIS AF/S FOR S. HILL, M.HARPOLE SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR C. COURVILLE STATE PASS TO USAID FOR M. COPSON AND E.LOKEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2016 TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV ELAB ZI SUBJECT: PREVIEW OF LABOR'S PLANS FOR NATIONWIDE DEMONSTRATIONS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 13. REF: A. A) HARARE 0077 ¶B. B) HARARE 1067 ¶C. C) HARARE 1078 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i., Eric T. Schultz for reasons 1.5 b/d -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) plans to lead processions in 35 cities and towns throughout the country on Wednesday, September 13 to protest against poor wages, high taxes, weak economic conditions, lack of access to HIV/AIDS drugs, and continuing harassment of civil society groups. The government has responded with stern warnings that security forces will crush any demonstrations and preemptively arrested numerous civil society leaders and students. Labor leaders are playing down expectations; privately they are hoping for about 1000 participants in Harare and 3000 nation-wide. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has pledged its support but will not formally participate. End Summary. -------------- Taking It To The Streets -------------- ¶2. (U) The ZCTU announced plans last week for mass demonstrations throughout the country to demand wages and salaries linked to the Poverty Datum Line (PDL) (ref A); a reduction in taxes; full availability and free access to anti-retro virals (ARVs) to fight HIV/AIDS; and for the police to stop harassing the informal sector workers. In Harare plans call for the ZCTU leadership to lead a procession through the city center to deliver a petition with ZCTU demands to the Ministries of Labor and Finance, as well as, the Employers Confederation of Zimbabwe (EMCOZ),a large business association. In the other targeted cities and towns, local labor delegates will lead demonstrators to deliver petitions to the offices of the Chief Labor Relations Officers. -------------- With a little help from my friends -------------- ¶3. (U) ZCTU announced plans for the demonstration two weeks ago, and has attempted to spread the word through the weekly opposition Standard, and through affiliates throughout the country. ZCTU also consulted with key civil society leaders. Many of the most active civil society groups, including the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA),and Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA),have voiced their support for the ZCTU protest. The MDC has pledged its public support but has stated it will not officially participate. ZCTU leaders have told us they hope for about 1000 participants in Harare and about 3000 nation-wide. -------------- Government Intimidation -------------- ¶4. (U) With ample notice of the protest, the GOZ has used state-run newspapers to discourage participation. In the Sunday Mail for example, State Security Minister Didymus Mutasa was quoted as saying that the protest would be a HARARE 00001130 002 OF 002 &grave mistake,8 and that security forces would not hesitate to &crush8 the protesters. The papers have also alleged that the protest is an attempt to divert attention from MDC illegal business activities. Finally, the government has argued through the newspapers, that it is willing to discuss economic demands at the negotiating table. ¶5. (SBU) The government has also taken preemptive actions to thwart participation. Police arrested 15 student union leaders over the weekend, and then arrested 107 women and babies gathering in Harare for a WOZA organized demonstration on Monday which could have served as a building block for the ZCTU march. Roadblocks have been set up around Harare to control the movement of potential marchers. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) Caught by surprise by an MDC demonstration on September 1 (Ref B),the GOZ appears determined to snuff out the opposition's momentum before it starts. ZCTU,s announcement of the protest two weeks in advance, while perhaps intended to mobilize its supporters, may aid the government in forestalling the protest. However, if a demonstration does occur, whatever its size it will help to maintain focus on the government's incompetence in dealing with the country's deepening economic and political woes. Moreover, if the police overreact in their efforts to break up the marches, it could serve to fuel further protests. End Comment. SCHULTZ