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Door still open for ZCTU to rejoin TNF: Mangwana
The Sunday Mail
May 09, 2004

http://www.sundaymail.co.zw/index.php?id=7547&pubdate=2004-05-09

THE door is open for Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) to rejoin the Tripartite Negotiating forum (TNF) to discuss matters of mutual national interest, a Cabinet minister said last week.

The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Cde Paul Mangwana, said the Government is still willing to engage all stakeholders, including the ZCTU, to find ways of improving the welfare of workers.

"The ZCTU pulled out of the TNF for reasons best known to themselves which, in our view, were selfish and had nothing to do with the generality of the workers," said the minister.

He said it was sad to note that the workers suffered most when the labour body pulled out of the TNF.

Cde Mangwana called upon all workers to participate in the process that will lead to economic recovery of the country, adding that it is his ministry’s desire that the tripartite consultations continue for the good of the economy.

Cde Mangwana applauded the workers for ignoring calls by the ZCTU to engage in stay-aways, saying such actions are destructive to the country’s economy.

He said the politicisation of labour and workplaces has reduced the attention being paid to enhancing productivity, which is a key component to economic recovery.

"We want to assure all workers that, as Government, we shall endeavour all the time to make sure that all workplaces are adequately monitored to minimise hazards that may injure or kill workers," he added.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU) has refuted claims that it is affiliated to the ruling Zanu-PF party and condemned people who are against trade unionism.

Responding to recent media reports that accused his union of being a "front" for the party, ZFTU president Mr Alfred Makwarimba said his association is apolitical and has the mandate to represent the interests of workers in Zimbabwe.

Mr Makwarimba said as opposed to the stance taken by the rival ZCTU, the ZFTU is prepared to enter into agreements with the Government and employers as well as participating in the Tripartite Negotiating Forum.

"The ZFTU is not a front for the Zanu-PF party as claimed by some sections of the media in highly mischievous, misleading and unpatriotic reports.

"We further elucidate that no one can destroy the ZFTU by spreading falsehoods about our standing. We have made it clear in the past that the ZFTU is prepared and ready, at any time, to sign accords with both employers and the Government, including participating in the TNF," said Mr Makwarimba.

The union was against those who sought to address workers’ concerns through violent protests and demonising the Government.

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