Zimbabwe’s workers shelve strike, citing political volatility

Zimbabwe’s umbrella public sector union has backed down on plans for a national strike, an official said on Thursday.

It cited the volatile situation in the country after this month’s violent protests were met by a brutal security crackdown.

Wage negotiations between the government and the Apex Council, which represents 17 public sector unions, broke down on Wednesday.

The unions then met to decide a date for a strike and announce it this week but the talks ended in disarray.

“Apex feels that its not conducive to take action.

“The situation is volatile and polarised and the action we take may be hijacked for issues which have nothing to do with labour,” Cecilia Alexander, Apex Council’s chairwoman told Reuters.