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ZCTU
press statement on the deportation of COSATU
Zimbabwe
Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)
February 02, 2005
The Zimbabwe
Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) expresses it's utmost disgust at
the latest deportation of the Congress of South African Trade Union
(COSATU) delegation by the Zimbabwean authorities on, 2nd
of February 2005.
The deportation
comes barely four months after the Zimbabwean authorities did the
same to the organization.
It is appalling
that a government, that purports to be a guardian of the Zimbabwean
Constitution that protects individual and organisations’ rights
to freedom of association, bows so low and ejects a genuine trade
union organization whose mission was to have fraternal discussions
with its Zimbabwean counterparts. It is very clear that the COSATU
delegation did not or intended to commit any crime in this country
and their treatment is surprising.
It is this type
of hypocrisy and paranoia espoused the government that shows that
the Zimbabwean government is anti workers and disregards the provisions
of its constitution. This also confirms the failure of government
to guarantee the worker’s rights of assembly.
This incident,
coming again for the second time reflects a type of leadership that
is averse to the need of the people it leads. Since when did the
trade unions ask for permission to invite or go to a country from
their ministries of labour. What has the government got to hide
to the extent of stooping so low so as to reduce a high powered
delegation from a reputable trade union to come to Zimbabwe?
The ZCTU believes
that the banning of COSATU is a catastrophic error that will have
a serious repercussion on Zimbabwe at a time the country is need
of friends more than enemies.
The ZCTU still
believes that COSATU has a right to come to Zimbabwe in as much
as the ZCTU has a right to go to South Africa. Workers solidarity
is one principle that will never be disregarded by fellow trade
unionists who in this instance wanted to discuss issues of mutual
interest.
In light of
this incident, the ZCTU general council met and decided that action
would be taken after consultations with the South African counterparts.
Lovemore Matombo
ZCTU President
Visit the ZCTU
fact sheet
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