ZCTU Explains Clenched Fist

4 May 2011

The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has explained that ZCTU trustee Betty Mutambo’s raising of a clenched fist during the Labour Day celebrations in Solwezi was not political but a symbol of solidarity and unity used by the labour movement.

ZCTU secretary general Roy Mwaba said in a statement yesterday that Ms Mtambo raised a clenched fist as a salute to the workers and not forpolitical reasons.

Mr Mwaba said it was unfair for North-Western Province Minister Daniel Kalenga to accuse Ms Mtambo of being political when all theyears, the ZCTU had been using this symbol which he said was a saluteand logo used by trade unions as a show for solidarity and unity.

He said there was no need for the minister to draw any similaritiesbetween the Patriotic Front (PF) symbol and Ms Mtambo’s clenched fistduring the Labour Day celebrations because the two were not synonymousand did not have any relations.

“The raised fist salute consists of raising one arm in the air withclenched fist and it has been used for the past 47 years,” he said.

Mr Mwaba explained that ZCTU was a social movement whose mission wasto enhance the welfare of its members through the promotion ofharmonious industrial relations and not campaigning for politicalparties.

“We have been giving guidance and direction to workers and the highproductivity levels of Zambian workers have widely been acknowledgedby many, including President Rupiah Banda,” he said.

He said ZCTU pursued a policy of non-partisan because it wanted to useits Independence and autonomy to effectively enhance the cause ofworkers.

Mr Mwaba said ZCTU had a duty to work with the government of the dayon the basis of the tripartite arrangement pursuant to the provisionsof the International Labour Organisation.

Mr Mwaba was reacting to media reports in which Mr Kalenga condemnedMs Mtambo for raising a clenched fist during the Labour daycelebrations held on Sunday.

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