Zimbabwe: Cosatu kicked out for the second time

INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS

ICFTU OnLine...
018/020205

COSATU Delegation Once Again Expelled from Zimbabwe

Brussels, 2 February 2005 (ICFTU OnLine): A delegation from the
ICFTU-affiliated Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) which
arrived today in Zimbabwe was immediately expelled by the country's
immigration authorities. The planned 48-hour visit was intended to
bring together COSATU representatives with their colleagues from the
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), also an ICFTU affiliate. The
purpose of the visit, led by COSATU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi,
was to discuss issues confronting workers in Zimbabwe and in the region
in general.

Three months ago, a similar COSATU delegation was expelled from
Zimbabwe, prompting the ICFTU to bring the issue before the UN's
International Labour Organisation (ILO), as part of an ongoing case.
The latest expulsion will also be added to this case.

The Zimbabwean government continues to repress trade union activities in
the country. Representatives of the ZCTU and its affiliates are
frequently harassed, beaten arrested and mistreated by the Mugabe
regime's police.

This new expulsion of South African trade unionists comes two months
before elections for the Zimbabwean legislature, planned for 31 March.
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change has not yet decided
whether it will participate in the elections.

"The ICFTU is determined to support the legitimate rights of Zimbabwean
workers, in every way we can. This latest expulsion is a disgraceful
violation of these rights", said ICFTU General Secretary Guy Ryder.

The ICFTU represents 145 million workers in 233 affiliated organisations
in 154 countries and territories. ICFTU is also a partner in Global
Unions: http://www.global-unions.org

For more information, please contact the ICFTU Press Department on +32 2
224 0232 or +32 477 580 486.