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Zimbabwean unions elect new leadership

Issue date
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions

7th National Congress, Bulawayo

19-20 August 2011

The TUC was represented at the ZCTU Congress August by Gail Cartmail, Unite and TUC General Council spokesperson on international development and Annie Watson, TUC Advisor. Nick Sigler, Unison, was also a guest at the Congress held in Bulawayo from 19-20 August. Other international guests included representatives from COSATU, FEDUSA and NACTU from South Africa, ZCTU Zambia, APHEDA Australia, CLC Canada and several European trade union centres. All organisations had the opportunity to extend solidarity greetings, as did local civil society organisations. The Congress was chaired by the First Vice President, Lucia Matibenga, in the absence of the President, Lovemore Matombo.

In his address, the Secretary General, Wellington Chibebe, drew attention to the theme of the Congress 'Respect our rights: save the economy and our jobs', stressing the need for reform of the labour laws to make them compliant with international standards. He thanked everyone for the good wishes extended to him in taking up his new post as Deputy General Secretary of the ITUC.

Motions passed at the Congress dealt with the protection of whistle-blowers, establishing youth structures and there were debates about restructuring membership fees and the consequences of the thriving import and marketing of second-hand clothing.

The last item of business was the election of the leadership, with many of the international visitors serving as scrutineers. The following were elected, all with overwhelming majorities:

President George Nkiwane

1st Vice President Sithokozile (Thoko) Siwela

2nd Vice President R Chigwagwa

3rd Vice President Lucia Matibenga

Secretary General Japhet Moyo

1st Deputy Secretary General Gideon Shoko

2nd Deputy Secretary General U D Tarusenga

Treasurer E Mahari

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