In 2009 the International Labour organization visited the country at the invitation of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, which had raised concern over the abuse of workers’ rights by government.
The ILO recommended that Zimbabwe reform its labour laws, stop using the Public Order and Security Act against trade unions and stop torturing and intimidating trade unionists. But up to now the state still uses POSA to arrest, beat up and disrupt peaceful industrial action.
“This year Zimbabwe was supposed to appear before the committee, but people agreed that the situation in Central Africa was worse that the situation here and thus they were saved,” Wellington Chibhebhe, ITUC deputy secretary general and former ZCTU secretary general, told The Zimbabwean this week.
Last month the Chitungwiza Town Council suspended the workers’ union leadership after it had voiced concern over outstanding salaries.
Using POSA the police recently arrested dozens of MDC-T youths including the party’s legislator for Mabvuku Tafara, James Maridadi, for demonstrating to demand fulfilment of President Robert Mugabe’s pre-election 2.2 million job creation promises.
Eight other MDC-T youths are still in custody after they were arrested two weeks ago by the police for staging a peaceful demonstration against the aging Zimbabwean leader’s job creation promises he made last year.
Chibhebhe said the continued arresting of citizens for organizing peaceful demonstrations had attracted international attention.
“As I speak I am responsible for countries at risk and Zimbabwe is one of such countries at risk in Southern Africa. Swaziland is also on that list. I am keeping keen eyes on these two countries. Sadly Zimbabwe is my beloved country, which is being run by people who do not care about people workers’ welfare,” said Chibhebhe.
Post published in: News