Zimbabwe Workers Decry Heavy Tax Load as Economic Struggles Persist

Zimbabwe’s labor force is reeling under the weight of excessive taxation, according to the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).

The ZCTU’s end-of-year statement paints 2024 as a year workers would rather erase from memory, labeling it “annus horribilis.”

The year brought no respite to the working class, with their plight worsening due to numerous policy missteps.

Significant grievances include the lack of consultation on major policy decisions like the ZiG currency’s introduction.

The unilateral devaluation of the ZiG has further burdened workers, without considering the impact on their livelihoods.

Wages remain abysmally low, with the average worker earning around US$300 against a poverty line exceeding US$500.

Inflation has soared, pushing prices beyond the reach of many, exacerbating the financial strain on families.

The taxation system has been described as punitive, adding to the economic woes of the average Zimbabwean.

Healthcare services continue to crumble, with preventable diseases claiming lives due to inadequate facilities.

The education sector is in disarray, with teachers threatening strikes over salaries that do not meet basic needs.

Zimbabwe’s infrastructure woes, like erratic water and electricity supply, have crippled industrial productivity.

Job losses are rampant, with unemployment and underemployment reaching critical levels.

Industry operates at low capacity, unable to thrive in the current economic climate.

The health sector and other critical industries suffer from a severe brain drain, as professionals seek better opportunities abroad.

The informalization of the economy highlights the scarcity of formal employment opportunities.

Institutional decay, corruption, and a paranoid state’s actions against unionists and civic leaders add to the turmoil.

Poverty grips over 80% of the population, with no immediate relief in sight.

As workers look towards 2025, the outlook remains bleak with the government’s new budget introducing harsh taxes.

The Finance Minister’s strategy involves taxing fast food, betting, and plastic bags, potentially stifling consumer choice and economic activity.

Such aggressive tax policies might lead to evasion, public unrest, and a decline in Zimbabwe’s global competitiveness.

The high tax regime could also push more skilled workers to leave the country, further depleting talent pools.

Despite the grim outlook, the ZCTU extends wishes for a peaceful holiday season, urging workers to prepare for a renewed fight in the coming year.

This holiday season, the focus might not be on celebration but on strategizing for survival and advocacy in the face of economic adversity.

The ZCTU’s message is clear: workers must brace themselves for continued struggle and resistance against oppressive financial policies.

Yet, amidst these challenges, the union hopes for a peaceful and accident-free Christmas and New Year for all Zimbabweans.

As the festive season begins, the call is for reflection not on what was lost, but on how to reclaim and rebuild in the year ahead.