Link to article- https://allafrica.com/stories/202102040446.html
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is upset with how Zimbabwe’s government has dealt with the pandemic in the aspect of social support. They are worried about the effects that lockdown will have on ordinary citizens and the working class without the support of the government. While the government has increased their cash transfers to cushion those in need, the ZCTU believes it is not enough. Their main issue is that the cash transfers are not being distributed equally, leaving many in poverty since the first wave of the pandemic. The ZCTU president, Peter Mutasa, made an example of nearby regions, commending them for their swift and impactful response to economic troubles from the pandemic. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions’ frustration with the government is evident and they have proposed reforms that would help those in need, it is now up to the government whether or not they will use them.
I believe that the ZCTU are advocating for the correct reasons, but it would also be an economic burden for Zimbabwe to give more money to the working class and ordinary citizens because of the effects of the pandemic. Especially with the extra expense of getting the vaccine in Zimbabwe, it is unlikely that they will be able to pour money into any other areas for relief at this point. The ZCTU makes a very good point with the comparison of the action taken in other nearby regions and I believe that it could have some influence on how Zimbabwe’s government will act in the future; hopefully by taking them for example.
Due to Zimbabwe’s status as a shatterbelt region, this internalized struggle between the government and another domestic group is not surprising. While it is not likely that this conflict will turn physical, if the pandemic does not slow down or come to an end soon then division between the government and ordinary citizens will worsen until there is compensation.