President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has issued a temporary ban preventing trade unions from organizing national strikes or holding protests aimed at putting pressure on the government to change its economic policy.

Mr Mugabe has invoked special Presidential powers to give the authorities the right to impose stiff penalties, including prison sentences, on those who ignore the new edicts.

Correspondents say the country has been affected by a series of strikes in protest over fuel price increases; the main trade union body had threatened further stoppages unless measures were taken, including the cancellation of the price rises.