This is a legal strike and we urge all parties to strictly adhere to the rules of the game. We call for self-restraint by workers and union leaders participating in the strike. Likewise, we call on security forces to maintain peace in accordance with the law. It cannot be gainsaid that lack of restrain by the union members or the security forces may result in a bigger problem than the strike. The strike should not be a licence to destroy private or public property or to assault and injure anybody. The security forces must not engage in action that is contrary to the law or the rules of the strike. Use of unnecessary force or intimidation of the strikers must be avoided. In short, our people would like the strike to occur in peace and end in peace. So far the unions have followed an all-familiar, legal path to achieving social demands. It is a civilised, democratic and peaceful road. We urge the strike marshals to ensure that they keep away elements bent on engaging in mischief or criminal acts. Foul street language, threats and intimidation directed against government, co-workers or general members of the public should be avoided. We trust that the workers will go about their strike in a most mature manner, which will include the observance of the rules. These include not taking intoxicating, habit-forming and stupefying drugs to assembly points at government premises. We urge that the workers should not take intoxicants as a way of fortifying themselves for the strike. A sober mind is a wise mind. Indeed, as can be expected in a big group of people, there will be one or two rotten apples. These usually go out to vandalise property and cause confusion. If this happens, union leaders, marshals and the workers should hand over such people to law enforcement agents.
We trust that the workers shall keep our roads, and places where they assemble clean throughout. This is especially important as the people who would otherwise do the cleanup such as council refuse collectors will not be working. Elsewhere in Africa, we are seeing demonstrations by people calling mainly for reforms. We are seeing otherwise peaceful demonstrations met with brutal force from the security forces. It is our hope that the security forces in this country shall not intimidate the workers or provoke them so as to find a reason for a crackdown.
