TUC calls for investigation into Zimbabwe mine strike shootings
Solidarity with Zimbabwe's unions
Miners' strike
October 2009
The TUC has backed the call by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) for a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into shootings at a mine owned by the Government of Zimbabwe, where workers have been on strike since 7 September.
Below are the letter TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber sent to the Zimbabwean Ambassador, and a statement by COSATU in South Africa. The ITUC statement is here.
HE Mr Gabriel Mharadze Machinga
Ambassador
Embassy of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe House
429 Strand
London WC2R 0JR
Dear Ambassador
Shooting of Workers at Shabanie Mine in Zvishavane
On behalf of the TUC General Council, I write to express our outrage over the shooting of three workers at Shabanie Mine on 25 September 2009 and support for the call by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions for a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry. I am copying this letter to the Foreign Secretary.
Our information is that the three workers concerned - one woman and two men - were shot during an industrial dispute over the non-payment of salaries since January 2009 and that a number of workers were also arrested during the incidents. The workers in the mine had been taking part in demonstrations since 7 September, as the Management had shown no willingness to address the issues. We have also learnt that the workers were threatened with dismissals by security agents to force them to return to work.
As we have pointed out to you on numerous occasions in the past, the use of firearms against workers and their arrests over activities pertaining to the exercise of their legitimate rights are a gross violation of the ILO Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Moreover, your country, which ratified Convention 98(1998) and Convention 87 (2003), is obliged to observe the workers' rights enshrined in them. Furthermore, these incidents constitute a clear breach of the assurances given by Mr Giles Mutsekwa, Co-Minister of Home Affairs, on peaceful gatherings and marches only a few months ago. They will, no doubt, tarnish the image of your country and further aggravate the current difficulties, making national dialogue and reconciliation even more difficult.
We urge you to pass on our deep concern over the colleagues concerned to your Government, and use your influence with the authorities to ensure that workers in Zimbabwe are allowed to exercise their democratic rights including the participation in peaceful protests without violence being unleashed against them.
Yours sincerely
Brendan Barber
General Secretary
COSATU Statement on shooting of workers in Zimbabwe
The Congress of South African Trade Unions condemns in the strongest terms the unprovoked shooting of workers at Shabani Mine in Zvishavane, Zimbabwe. This was after workers had been on strike since 31st August, and subjected to provocation by the Mine management.
The workers had not been paid their full dues since January, 2009 as management kept lying to the workers about their full pay, whilst they continued to pay slave wages of about $20 - $ 40 per month. This led to the 2280 workers refusing to work on 31st August.
However, the striking workers have been forced to go back to work after being visited by gun-toting policemen and the dreaded Central Intelligence Operatives (CIO). The state security agents together with Shabanie Mine security Officers visited workers in their homes on 29 September threatening them that if they did not return to work the following day (30 September) the workers should vacate not only the mine houses they were occupy but also get out of town. On 30 September about three quarters of the 2 280 striking workers returned to work.
Management then immediately began holding kangaroo court hearings. Scores of workers were dismissed in the process. They were charged with:
1. absenteesim from work without leave
2. defying the General Manager's memo instructing them to return to work
3. illegal work stoppage
The workers' legal representative had earlier requested management to inform him when the hearings would take place but the Mine management declined to inform him of the date and time of the hearings. As of 30 September seven workers have been dismissed. These workers are known by management for their MDC activism as they hold posts in the MDC Youth Assembly and Ward Executive. It seems the matter has also become an issue of discrimination on political grounds. Those who are known to belong to ZANU PF have been guaranteed their jobs back.
On 30 September, the home of ZCTU Zvishavane District Secretary Ndodana Sithole was raided by Police officers. They demanded to know what action the ZCTU was planning to take. Sithole was also warned not to meet any of Shabanie Mine employees.
In September alone, the ZCTU reported 3 serious cases of violations of Freedom of Association to the Minister of Labour.
To this end, the ZCTU is pushing for a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry to look into the Shabanie and Mashava Mine incidents where workers have not been paid since January.
This is linked to an on-going and intensified attack against workers and political activists belonging to the opposition. We note that the situation in Zimbabwe has not improved since the coming into effect of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) a year ago.
The recent release of Jestina Mukoko after the unlawful detention for so long does not change the reality of harsh treatment of activists in that country. We shall keep close contact with our comrades in the ZCTU to monitor the situation and stand ready to put pressure when called upon. The whole region of Southern Africa cannot be held at ransom by the ZANPF regime, when we are supposed to be recording progress in that country, as a step towards effective democratisation and development for the people of the region.
Stay Updated
Want to hear about our latest news and blogs?
Sign up now to get it straight to your inbox