By Own Correspondent

THE Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has predicted tough times for the working class as inflation continues to spiral on the back of challenging circumstances choking the Zim-dollar stability and external factors like the Russia/Ukraine war.

The remarks come against a background where Zimbabwe has seen a resurgence of the inflationary pressures with yearly inflation being placed at 94,5% with monthly inflation rising to 15,5% up from just 6,3%.

Consequently, the monthly cost of living for a family of six rose to almost $93 000 in March according to the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe.

Market authorities have blamed the indiscipline in the markets for triggering exchange rate instability as well as the RUSSIA/UKRAINE war’s impact on the global supply chains.

Speaking to The Worker   on the latest developments, ZCTU national organiser, Michael Kandukutu said the developments have worsened the plight of the already struggling workers.

“Workers are already in a bottomless pit. Inflation is defined as the persistence increase in prices of goods and services over time. However, that persistent increase in prices of goods and services is not being marched by the increases in salaries,” he said.

He said workers’ salaries in Zimbabwe have had a history of lagging behind, starting with the salaries disparities regime of the period 2011 - 2018 and then the black announcement by our Minister of Finance, Mthuli Ncube’s adverse effect of the austerity measures.

“Workers are already in a bottomless pit. Inflation is defined as the persistence increase in prices of goods and services over time.

“However that persistent increase in prices of goods and services is not being matched by the increases in salaries,” he added.