17.01.2002
Zimbabwe 'anti-imperialism'
The dictatorial powers being taken by Zanu-PF in its attempt to ensure the re-election of Robert Mugabe as president are not only intended to see off the opposition Movement for Democratic Change. Equally they will be wielded against the trade union and workers' movement, not least the main left force, the International Socialist Organisation, sister organisation of the Socialist Workers Party. Tafadzwa Choto is the ISO national coordinator. Peter Manson spoke to her for the Weekly Worker
Can you give a brief outline of the new laws and how workers and their organisations will be affected? The Labour Bill and Public Order and Security Bill are draconian measures which, together, prohibit workers from demonstrating and taking part in strikes and stayaways - all will be illegal. The POSB bans any gatherings, unless they have been approved by the police. We know that they will not approve of ISO meetings, for example. As of now, we are still operating openly, but if these changes are implemented as expected, by the end of this week, we will have to move to operating underground. Under the terms of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill all journalists have to apply to the ministry of information for accreditation. This will certainly affect publications like Socialist Worker. Our comrades do not have a diploma or degree in journalism and will certainly be refused this accreditation. Then if we did publish we would fall foul of other clauses, such as "inciting violence". It will also be illegal to criticise the president, the government or even Zanu-PF. Mugabe is saying that these measures are here to stay. They are necessary to "protect our country from the imperialists". The POSB replaces Ian Smith's 1964 Law and Order Maintenance Act, which was never repealed. But it more draconian. It will have the effect of banning all forms of resistance, whether for political or economic reasons - and it provides for life sentences for offenders. Here in Britain some on the left say that Mugabe should be supported because he is an 'anti-imperialist'. What do you say to such comrades? They can say that because the Movement for Democratic Change has gone to the far right in relation to economic policies and in its attitude to the west. By comparison Mugabe appears anti-imperialist. But he is applying double standards. He is smashing democratic rights while himself implementing neo-liberal policies. Yes, he recently announced that Zimbabwe is abandoning the 'Esap' structural adjustment package and instead will be following "Zimbabwean policies". But in actual fact he has not abandoned structural adjustment - in practice he is implementing such policies, only now they are far worse. For example, students are now forced to seek private loans from banks. The Labour Bill is an anti-working class measure. In parliament this week one of Mugabe's own Zanu-PF MPs denounced it as "unconstitutional". Our comrade Munyaradzi Gwisai, the MDC MP for Highfield, has been giving the lead in condemning it. It gives no protection to casual workers, who now make up the majority of the workforce. The bill gives employers the right to fire while banning strikes and stayaways. The ISO has calculated that workers need a minimum wage of 18,000 Zimbabwean dollars a month, based on a couple with four children. For example, 31 loaves of bread cost 1,500 dollars [last year inflation increased by 500% in three months - ed]. Mugabe, using his presidential powers, announced that all workers must be paid a minimum of 8,900 dollars. But in the new Labour Bill there is no guarantee of any minimum wage - not even this figure, which most workers do not receive in any case. It is another example of Mugabe talking left and pretending to be the worker's friend. After the presidential elections it is very likely that the minimum wage will be removed altogether. So you think he will win? Well, Mugabe thought MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai would win - that is why he has taken all these measures to stop him. But many workers are now disillusioned with the MDC. The state radio and TV are playing an interview given by Tsvangirai, when he called for South Africa to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe. So now there could be voter apathy. Many workers will vote because they want Mugabe out, but not in sufficient numbers. Zanu-PF supporters are more likely to turn out. The ISO previously had a position of offering to support Tsvangirai providing he agreed to put in place a set of demands in the interests of the working class. What is the situation now? We have not yet agreed our final position - we have a meeting on Saturday. My own point of view is in favour of a Tsvangirai win: at least we will be able to operate with bourgeois democracy. But at the same time the MDC, which was set up by trade unionists and still gets most of its backing from workers, has moved to the far right. I think we should call on workers to vote Tsvangirai, but encourage them to rise after the election. It could be a situation like Iran 1979, when Tsvangirai will have a short honeymoon period. You mentioned Tsvangirai's call for sanctions. What is your own position? We do not support them. They create passivity amongst workers, who are led to think of the western imperialists as liberators. The way forward is to fight Mugabe ourselves, not look to Blair, Bush or Mbeki. How would you describe the present conditions of the working class? In Zimbabwe they are worse than even 1995, when there were mostly permanent workers. Now they are given temporary contracts which are renewed for three months, six months, one year or even five years. At the end they can be dismissed without benefits or pension rights. Even the position of permanent workers is terrible. They are entitled to pensions, but they are not always paid. Mugabe is compromising with the bosses at the expense of workers - not only the local capitalists, but with foreign investors. Sometimes he speaks left, but his policy is pro-capitalist. What has been the role of comrade Gwisai? It is now becoming more difficult. At first he was able to advance workers' struggle, especially in parliament. But his contributions recently have not been so effective - many workers no longer have faith in the MDC. They no longer have any faith in 'politicians'. No matter how radical his statements, Munyaradzi is also affected by this attitude of 'That's what politicians say'. The MDC leadership suspended him and wanted to expel him, as well as the ISO, but now that is on hold until after the elections. Finally, how can we in Britain help your struggle? What solidarity action can we give? The way to give solidarity is to build the anti-capitalist movement in your own country. It is important to denounce neo-liberalism in all its forms, not just the dictatorship of Mugabe - a result of neo-liberalism. It is important to say no to the IMF and World Bank, and to campaign against the Bush-Blair war. There must be no sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. Encourage workers to fight themselves. As for helping the ISO, we would certainly welcome any fundraising, especially at this time. We have had to put some of our plans on hold because of lack of cash, so we definitely need money in order to produce leaflets, posters and our newspaper. We are facing difficult times. * www.mdczimbabwe.com
Worker