ZCTU threatens strike action

ere re-elected at a weekend congress in Harare.
ZCTU spokesman Mlamleli Sibanda said although they would give dialogue with government a chance, time was running out and they might have to resort to strike action very soon. He said workers, employers and unions were not making any progress in the Tripartite Negotiating Forum.
The plight of farm workers also came under the spotlight during the two-day congress. It was resolved that all the other unions wwould rally behind the General Plantation and Farm Workers Union if they plan any strikes over conditions on the farms. Sibanda said farm workers were getting Z$1 million a month in wages and that this was the equivalent of 10 loaves of bread.
Meanwhile the High Court ruled on Friday that the deportation of ZCTU delegates during the week was illegal. Several international delegates to the congress were deported last week under instruction from the Ministry of Labour. The court dealt with the case of Alice Siame from Zambia and another Norwegian delegate Nina Mjoberg, but remained silent on the deportation of COSATU Secretary General Zwelinzima Vavi.
Full list of ZCTU leadership: President: Lovemore Matombo; First Vice President: Lucia Matibenga; Second Vice President: George Nkiwane; Third Vice President: Thabitha Khumalo; Secretary General: Wellington Chibhebhe; First Deputy SG: Japhet Moyo; Second Deputy SG: Gideon Shoko; Treasurer: Ester Khumbulani. – Lance Guma, SW Radio Africa