Back to Index

This article participates on the following special index pages:

Unions to target Zim missions
News24.co.za
September 20, 2006

http://www.news24.com/News24/AnanziArticle/0,,2-11-1662_2001561,00.html

Johannesburg - Zimbabwe's diplomatic missions all over the world, particularly those in Africa, will be targets on Friday of protests by trade unions linked to the International Confederation of Trade Unions (ICFTU).

Nairobi-based general-secretary of the labour body's African Regional Organisation (ICFTU-AFRO), Andrew Kailembo, said on Wednesday that arrests of and reported assaults on trade unionists by police shortly before a demonstration would also be reported to the International Labour Organisation.

Zimbabwe is a signatory to the ILO.

"We want Zimbabwe to come to its senses," said Kailembo.

"We intend to bring this matter to the committee on freedom of association at ILO."

The international union leader was addressing a press conference at Midrand, north of Johannesburg, where he was among international guests at the ninth congress of the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu).

Kailembo added that the ICFTU-AFRO, with member unions in 47 African countries, would further demand that the case against 15 leaders of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions arrested last week be withdrawn.

"Wherever Zimbabwe has an embassy there will be that strong message," he said.

A Cosatu spokesperson, Mandla Rametsi, said the labour federation would also decide on action after its national congress, which ends on Thursday.

"In South Africa a very concrete plan of action will be decided after the congress."

Among the Zimbabweans arrested was ZCTU vice-president Lucia Matibenga, who showed the press conference her bruises she sustained from batons.

She gave union leaders from other countries, including Australia and Britain, a first-hand account of her ordeal."

Matibenga, who must report to police upon arrival back from the congress on Friday in terms of her bail conditions, is also president of the Southern African Trade Union Co-ordinating Council.

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP