What will the workers do to protest reduced wages?

A two-day general strike is beginning in Zimbabwe led by Trade Unions angry over low wages and deteriorating economic conditions. Officials of Zimbabwe’s main labor group, the Congress of Trade Unions, say they expect thousands of workers will not go to work to protest wages that have been reduced in value by inflation to a few dollars per month. But they say they arc not planning any public demonstrations Tuesday or Wednesday in order to avoid clashes with police. The government has accused the opposition Movement for Democratic Change of being behind the strike and says police will be deployed in major cities to ensure that those who wish to work eau do so. The secretary general of one faction of the MDC says Zimbabwe’s economic problems are the reason for the recent political unrest. Wages have been eroded by Zimbabwe’s 1,700 percent annual inflation rate. The economy is also beset by food shortages, high unemployment and falling production. Political tensions have been heightened since police arrested and beat several dozen opposition leaders who were trying to hold an anti-government rally three weeks ago.