JOHANNESBURG - The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has hailed Zimbabwean union leader Wellington Chibebe who was last week named winner of the inaugural the Arthur Svensson International Award given to labour activists in recognition of their work in defence of worker rights and interests. “As COSATU we have come to know and work with Comrade Chibebe on issues of democracy and human rights violations in Zimbabwe, as well as issues of the international trade union movement, global justice and workers rights. We know from our own experience his courage, passion and firmness of principle,” said Zanele Matebula, COSATU’s deputy international relations secretary.
“We believe the African trade union movement in particular and the global trade union movement in general has an asset in him and we are yet to see more of his outstanding contributions as we intensify our struggle for justice. “While we acknowledge that there are many people who make sacrifices and risk their lives in conducting their union activities and defending workers
and the poor, Comrade Chibebe is one of those comrades whose massive contributions could not be ignored.”
Chibebe is secretary general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) that has been at the forefront in the fight for human and worker rights in Zimabbwe. He and several other ZCTU leaders have on many occasions been jailed, assaulted and tortured by state security agents as punishment for criticising President Robert Mugabe’s controversial rule. Svensson International Award is given by the Norwegian National Trade union Industri Energi.
Post published in: News