Zimbabwe shut down by strike

Zimbabwe was largely brought to a halt yesterday by a three-day strike called by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions in protest at the government's decision last week to triple the price of fuel.

Most factories, shops, supermarkets and banks were closed, and even government services such as the post offices were shut.

Union officials estimated that the first day of the strike was 70% successful, and peaceful.

The drastic increase in fuel prices means that transport alone now eats up about 80% of the average worker's pay, the ZCTU says.

The police used the government's stringent labour laws to declare the strike illegal and to arrest some ZCTU executives who were caught distributing strike leaflets in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city, on Tuesday.

The current strike comes hard on the heels of a two-day walkout last month organised by the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

They are a stinging vote of no-confidence by the workers in President Robert Mugabe's economic policies, which have taken inflation in Zimbabwe to 228% and unemployment above 60% and have resulted in an acute shortage of basic foodstuffs.

The success of the stoppages is boosting the confidence of the MDC, which has vowed to use mass action to drive Mr Mugabe from office.

The government showed signs of being worried as the strike took hold yesterday.

A military helicopter flew over the capital, Harare, the police erected roadblocks on main roads, and troops patrolled the impoverished suburbs of eastern Harare.

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