TUC Aid laptop appeal for Zimbabwe

TUC Aid laptop appeal for Zimbabwe

Since the power sharing agreement was negotiated in Zimbabwe, daily life has got better for Zimbabwean workers. But the battle for human and workers' rights in Zimbabwe is far from over. Poverty and unemployment is still rife, the Zimbabwean Government plans to privatise utilities and transport, the new political elite is excluding the people from the drafting of a new constitution and trade unions continue to face huge holes in their finances. Trade unionists continue to face restrictions, arrests and beatings, even though conditions have improved.

Zimbabwe's unions need solidarity and practical support to help them survive and enable them to campaign for their members and civil society. One key way we can help is providing our brothers and sisters with the tools to do their work - tools we rely on every day but which are vitally important for them: laptop computers are just one example.

So far, the TUC and TUC affiliates have donated 22 laptops which have already had a major impact on the way in which ZCTU staff can promote and defend the rights of workers in Zimbabwe.

With a limited number of PCs in the ZCTU offices and no facilities at all to work when out of the office, staff were finding it extremely challenging to conduct their work. The working practices of ZTUC staff have been dramatically improved since the laptops arrived.

Photo: ZCTU Librarian, Patience Jongwe using one of the donated laptops.

Many of the Departments in the ZCTU received laptops as did the elected leadership and it has seriously enhanced their work.

Last Tarabuku, responsible for capacity building in the ZCTU said, 'When I visit ZCTU regions doing work, it was a nightmare as regions have one computer to be used by over four people. I now carry my laptop with me and it has helped a great deal.'

Photo: Fiona Magaya, Women and Gender desk coordinator working on one of the laptops.

However, there is still more that could be done as a TUC high-level delegation saw when they visited Zimbabwe in August 2009. The lack of modern office equipment and reliable communication facilities still makes interaction with their affiliates and civil society difficult.

TUC Aid is now renewing its appeal for funds to provide laptop computers for the ZTUC and its affiliates. The estimated cost of buying and shipping these laptops is just £250 each.

TUC Aid and the ZCTU very much appreciate your generosity so far but need your continued support.

All cheques should be drawn in favour of TUC Aid-Computers for ZCTU - and sent to TUC Aid, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS.

Contact Bandula Kothalawala on 020 74671257 or bkothalawala@tuc.org.uk