The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) welcomes the current moves towards a negotiated settlement to the ongoing political and economic crisis which has gripped Zimbabwe for the past ten years.

While we are still of the view that President Thabo Mbeki is not the best person to lead the mediation, we take note of the inclusion of the AU and the UN on the expanded mediation team.

We are reliably informed through rumours that an expanded mediation team, led by South African president Thabo Mbeki, is currently in Zimbabwe to facilitate the signing of the MoU.

Our concern however is that, there has not been openness and wider consultation on the drafting of the MoU. On behalf of labour, the MoU has not been availed to us for scrutiny or comment. The only time we have had a feel of the MoU, has been through the media, where we are told that MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai had at one time refused to sign it. Nothing more has been said about the document.

The process seems to have been left to the three antagonizing parties, that is, the MDC – T, the MDC – M and Zanu PF.

The current problems in Zimbabwe now require, not only a political solution, but concerted approach which involves all arms of the civic and political world.

Zimbabwe is not made up of supporters of Zanu PF and MDC alone, but a plethora of groupings which have to be consulted if the process is to gain wider acceptance by the majority.

On behalf of labour, we call upon the facilitators of the dialogue process to include civic groupings, churches, labour and political parties in the negotiation process.

It is our hope and wish that the above will be taken seriously for the outcome of the negotiating process to reflect the will of the people of Zimbabwe and not self seeking power sharing agendas.

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