PETITION TO THE RESERVE BANK OF ZIMBABWE GOVERNOR DR GIDEON GONO

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) General Council at its special sitting on 25 November 2008 in Masvingo to reflect on the prevailing economic malaise, coupled with the collapse of our health delivery system, our education system and the general social and political environment observed:

* That workers are now being forced to queue and even sleep at their banks to withdraw a paltry $500 000
* That hundreds of our people have died as they fail to raise cash for medication because of the withdrawal limits
* That those individuals with foreign currency accounts are allowed to withdraw as much money as possible to satisfy their needs while the generality of workers who are paid in Zimbabwean dollars have no access to their money
* That workers have lost confidence in the Collective Bargaining Process as whatever is negotiated for, cannot be accessed from the bank

Also noting

* That the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has a negligent attitude towards issues affecting the generality of workers and ordinary Zimbabweans
* That as a result, the standard of living of Zimbabweans has sunk to deplorable and unimaginable levels

The ZCTU therefore demands that all workers and Zimbabweans in general be allowed to access their money without the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe imposing cash withdrawal limits.

The ZCTU will continue to organize sustained protests until the cash withdrawal limits are removed.

Signed______________________________ Date__________________________

President