After deliberating on the issue and taking a closer look at the deal, the General Council noted that the deal is a far cry from the ZCTU expectations and that it is an outcome of a flawed process.
Instead, the General Council noted, the deal is all about power sharing between Zanu PF and MDC, leaving out primary causes of the dispute which has created the current political and economic impasse currently prevailing in the country.It also noted that the process used in coming up with the deal was not all-inclusive as the civic society was not given an opportunity to participate.
The exclusion of such critical sectors as labour, the general council noted, and the secretive manner in which issues were discussed, do not give credence to the outcome of the deal.
It then resolved that an all-inclusive dialogue is the only way forward to resolve Zimbabwe’s political and economic impasse. Ownership of the dialogue process should rest with the people of Zimbabwe, not just a few politicians, some of them who have been rejected by the electorate.
The General Council also resolved to treat the deal as a temporary stop gap measure’ because it denies Zimbabweans the right to choose a government of their choice through a democratic process. In all its dealings, the ZCTU said it will treat this arrangement as a temporary measure, capable of dealing with outstanding demands from labour, in the absence of an elected government..
ZCTU continues to advocate for a Neutral Transitional Authority and the drafting of a people driven constitution which will lead the nation into a free and fair democratic election where people will choose their own government. The current temporary arrangement has not created a People’s Government.
The General Council further resolved to urgently engage MDC President, Morgan Tsvangirai by Saturday, 27 September, 2008 to directly brief it on the deal.
Signed Wellington Chibebe ZCTU Secretary GeneralÂ