Published by the government of Zimbabwe
23 May 2008
Harare — THE Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions is compiling an exaggerated document on Zimbabwe's political situation to present it before the International Labour Organisation annual conference that opens next week in Geneva, Switzerland.
The labour body seeks to have Zimbabwe condemned by the global labour body by exaggerating the political situation in the country.
Some of the issues ZCTU is expected to raise include the arrest of its president, Mr Lovemore Matombo, and secretary-general Mr Wellington Chibebe two weeks ago for utterances allegedly made during a Workers' Day rally on May 1 this year.
But Secretary for Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Mr Lancaster Museka said Government was preparing a comprehensive report on Zimbabwe and was not afraid of ZCTU machinations to put the country under the spotlight.
Government will articulate its position on various measures it has taken to improve workers' welfare since independence.
"The arrest of ZCTU leaders was for a reason. The State had reasonable grounds to suspect that they had committed an offence, hence they were arrested," said Mr Museka last night.
"We will simply explain why they were arrested if they raise the issue. We have nothing to hide."
Sources in the union said the report being compiled claimed the arrest constituted an infringement of human rights and freedom of expression as enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
ZCTU has in the past presented exaggerated reports on Zimbabwe at ILO annual conferences but the Government, through the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare has always rebutted the allegations.
The Government is on record as arguing before the conference that there was freedom of expression and association in the country.
The State has since stopped determining wages and salaries, which is now the responsibility of the respective industries' National Employment Councils.
Representatives from employers and employees constitute the NECs.
The annual conference brings together representatives of workers, Government and employers.
When contacted, Mr Matombo denied that they were compiling a false document, but said what they would present in Geneva is a reflection of the situation in the country.
"The Committee of Experts have noted that there is infringement of the rights of workers and that has not changed as evidenced by what happened 12 days ago when we were arrested.
"We are still studying the literature we got from Government and we will make our presentations based on some of these issues and developments in the country.
"We are going to Geneva and we will merely present what is obtaining on the ground, the arrest of labour movement leaders as what happened recently does not put Government in good light."
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where do we get this rubbish from? inflation off the richter scale, 80% unemployment, pictures of state violence, maybe the govt doesnt have the internet (probably been restriced by legislation)if it cant see its image outside africa it shouldnt be in politics. time to go mugabe, byebye. Humba brother your time is past, go run to malaysia where your money is stashed. run back to your spend it all wife. run zimbabwe doesnt need you.
Hell no, what image does Zimbabwe has? Over 80% unemployment, even the dumbiest idiot would know something's fishy here. Don't report as if you are telling people who live in another place: The Herald is also read by the very same people affected,fools!