TUC Delegation to Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions 25 Anniversary Conference

1 A TUC delegation (Paul Talbot from the General Council, and Sam Gurney from the TUC European Union and International Relations Department, along with Nick Sigler, Head of International at Unison) attended the 25^th Anniversary Congress of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) on 19-20 May 2006 in Harare. The Congress, the ZCTU's 6th, occurred at a time of great economic and political turmoil in Zimbabwe and the ZCTU had issued urgent invitations to the international trade union movement to send observers as an act of solidarity and to try to ensure that the Congress was allowed to proceed.

2 283 delegates representing 36 unions were present over the two days in the Harare Celebration Centre alongside around 50 international and domestic observers and a number of Zimbabwean trade union veterans. The international trade union movement was well represented with delegations present from the ICFTU, SASK - Finland, LO - Norway, LO - Sweden, LO - Denmark, the AFL-CIO, Dutch FNV, Nigerian Labour Congress, Canadian Labour Congress and Malawi. The Norwegian delegation were denied entry with one member being arrested at her hotel and COSATU's attempts to enter the country both by air and across the border were blocked.

Introductory speeches

3 The ZCTU Secretary General opened the Congress by condemning the detention of the South African and Norwegian guests. He noted that despite the current situation the Congress must be a time to celebrate and reflect on the work of Zimbabwean trade unions over the previous decade and a half. In the temporary absence of the ZCTU President Lovemore Matombo due to a bereavement the 1st Vice-President Lucia Matibenga delivered an impressive and wide ranging opening speech noting the tortuous path that the ZCTU had had to tread since their last conference in 2001 and stating that survival alone had been an amazing feat given the range of repressive tactics unleashed against the organisation and its affiliates. She noted that following independence Zimbabwe had some of the best labour legislation in Africa, but that now unemployment stood at 85%, public services were being destroyed, GDP was in decline, mining production was in reverse and the full scale collapse of the agricultural sector had reinforced mass unemployment.

4 She pointed out that the ZCTU had long called for land reform, but that the land seizures currently being carried out were fuelling the descent into crisis which had seen Zimbabwe move from being a 'bread basket' to a 'basket case.' Capital and labour flight were showing no signs of abating with 3 million Zimbabweans having left over 6 years of 'self-inflicted crisis.' She also noted that the polices prescribed by the IMF and World Bank had contributed to the collapse of formal sector employment at the same time as the government launched attacks on informal traders and others who helped to keep the cities running. Calling for a fairer model of globalisation she noted that IFI [1] -imposed structural adjustment programmes had caused great hardship. Africa remained poorer today than it had been 30 years ago and that treatable diseases continued to kill thousands every day.

5 In the face of this economic crisis and state sponsored repression she added that the ZCTU would not have survived without international support, but stressed that the ZCTU was not influenced or controlled by anyone other that its members. Despite the situation she added that the ZCTU had embarked on vigorous decent work agenda, established structures to organise the informal economy and tried to pursue social dialogue for national development whenever possible.

6 In an example of the amazing civility and discipline displayed by the ZCTU in the face of the ongoing crisis the next speaker was the representative of the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare (the minister having been 'unfortunately' called away at the last moment). His representative delivered his speech with the advisable caveat that they were not his words. He extended greetings to the international guests present and urged all to reflect on the benefits of 25 years of independence which had marked a great step forward for black workers over the previous colonialist system. He noted the government had supported the creation of a unified and independent trade union federation and had passed numerous pieces of legislation to protect workers. Now they supported a move away from industry based pay rates to independent collective bargaining but were still seeking to protect workers through the introduction of measures like mandatory transport and housing allowances together with an 'incomes protocol'. He stated that the government remained committed to social dialogue and recognised the current 'difficult circumstances.' He also made reference to the HIV-AIDS situation and called on unions to work with the government and private sector to develop work place based programmes. The ZCTU Secretary General then moved a wonderfully ironic vote of thanks to the Minister, in which he noted among other things that it might contribute to social dialogue if the government didn't arrest and detain international trade unionists on their way to ZCTU events.

7 Guy Ryder, ICFTU General Secretary spoke on behalf of Global Unions stating that he was honoured to convey a message of solidarity from the international trade union movement because Zimbabwean workers faced a situation in regard to violations of their rights as workers and citizens in the context of economic collapse worse than almost anywhere else in the world. Addressing himself to the representative of the Ministry of Labour he condemned the exclusion of some guests noting that there was no justification for restrictions on trade union rights anywhere or in any circumstances. The historical legacy of colonial oppression in Zimbabwe should always been remembered, but in the new context of globalisation everyone had to fight to create a fairer system to replace the current 'profoundly unjust' one which worked against all workers.

8 Other international visitors also delivered messages of greetings and solidarity. On behalf of the TUC Paul Talbot stressed how pleased we were to be able to join the Congress and pledged to continue to build not just moral but practical support through initiatives such as the Dignity, Period campaign. He noted that our struggles although in different contexts were united and that we had much to learn from each other. The international speakers were followed by the Veterans leaders, Sir Leroy Trotman (chair of the Workers' group of the ILO) and a representative of the Employers' Confederation of Zimbabwe.

Internal discussions

9 There was some debate over the position of the ZCTU in relation to the National Social Security Authority and over which version of the ZCTU constitution applied to the congress debates, but despite the obvious tensions surrounding the issues delegates proceeded with great decorum. At this stage the most serious visible attempt to stop the Congress occurred as an official attempted to serve papers on Wellington Chibebe which would have ruled the delegations from a number of larger affiliates out of order thus knocking out a considerable chunk of the current leadership. In a wonderful piece of theatre the papers were served on Wellington over the heads of dancing and singing delegates who moved forward to protect the stage only for the Secretary General to produce a second set of papers obtained from the high court the night before ruling the first set invalid on the grounds they had been issued on the basis of fraudulent information, and the Congress was thus able to proceed.

10 President Lovemore Matombo then moved the formal section of Congress with the General Council report, Treasurer's report and trustees report. He welcomed the level of international support the ZCTU had received and noted that even their adversaries were amazed that the Congress was taking place. He called for the ZCTU to move forward to be even more united than before and to display an even stronger will to deliver for members, concluding that to maintain unity in the face of attempts to foster splits had to be the central goal of the Congress. He stated that 'little minds discuss people whilst great minds discuss issues.'

11 The start of the General Council report made for grim listening with an analysis of the overall economic system showing year on year falls in GDP and annual inflation raising from 55.9% in 2000 to 350% in 2004 leading to the near total collapse of the Zimbabwean dollar, so that a dollar in 2006 would purchase the equivalent of 0.1 cents in 2001. It was estimated that over 80% of the population were living in poverty. The economic collapse had led to major problems in regard to ZCTU finances with hyper-inflation wiping out the value of subscriptions. The ZCTU leadership recommended improvements in collection methods, increased rates, a levy on non-members benefiting from collective agreements and an accelerated programme of union mergers. In regard to organisation however there were some signs of hope with membership showing year on year growth and rising from 155,000 in 2001 to 219,418 in 2004 (out of a total estimate of 1,300,000 potential members). Over the previous five years campaigns had been run on fuel price rises, human rights, taxation, poverty reduction and social security provision. The membership growth and campaigning had taken place in the face of wide spread political interference, harassment and state-sponsored splits in the union movement.

12 ZCTU education work had been expanded with a wide range of courses run, but the ideal situation was to establish a labour college and train even more educators at an affiliate level. Advocacy work at a national level was increasing difficult although in principle the Tripartite Negotiating Committee was still in place. Work in the informal economy which had been underway for some time was now even more of a priority given the collapse of the formal sector. The ZCTU-supported Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations had developed rapidly, despite attacks such as Operation Murambatsvina which sought to clear informal traders from the streets and demolished many homes and premises, and it was reported that there was an urgent need to train more organisers. Progress on encouraging unions to adopt policies on combating HIV-AIDS was also reported. The Women's Advisory Council reported on the massive challenges faced by women trade unionists, but highlighted successes such as the supply of sanitary products as a result of the Dignity, Period campaign.

13 The debate that followed the presentation of the reports bore a remarkable resemblance to debates in Britain with speakers intervening, amongst other subjects, on issues such as: how to deal with free riders, how to mobilise young workers, the need to set a recruitment target for unions so progress on membership growth could be measured, how to achieve greater industrial strength and unity by mergers, and health and safety concerns, as well as more Zimbabwe-focused issues such as housing for agricultural workers, the need to improve union structures in rural areas and greater efforts to organise the informal economy.

14 The resolutions passed showed that despite the political situation the ZCTU finds itself in it is still fighting to fulfil the role of a national trade union centre representing all Zimbabwean workers. Resolutions included:

• Calls for a campaign to allow civil servants to be covered by the Labour Act;
• Strengthening labour law;
• More active support for farm workers;
• A link between the minimum wage and 'Poverty Datum Line' to ensure that the former always remained above the later;
• Programmes aimed at recruiting young workers;
• Industrial action if ZCTU demands for changes to the National Social Security Authority were not met;
• Unions to pay ZCTU subs on time;
• Calls to improve the relationship between national centre and unions (and vice versa);
• Agreement to increase the resources available for recruitment and training of new members;
• Calls to increase affiliation fees in line with inflation;
• A demand for an increased number of union mergers;
• Request for an increased number of workplace-based union meetings to foster greater participation; and
• A call to set up a central fund to meet legal and medical costs of those arrested and injured during disputes or protests.

15 Despite the tense atmosphere surrounding the Congress the election of the new leadership took place in a remarkable spirit of solidarity and unity. There were contested elections for a large number of posts. Lovemore Matombo was re-elected as President with Lucia Maibenga, George Nkiwane, and Thabitha Khumalo elected as 1st, 2nd and 3rd vice presidents respectively, Wellington Chibebe re-elected as Secretary General with Japhet Moyo and Gedion Shoko as Assistants and Estavao Chumbulani elected as Treasurer.

16 Lovemore closed the Congress by returning to the theme that had run throughout of unity, restating that it was essential that whatever happened, the ZCTU did not divide on political lines. He further called for a campaign to repeal all anti-union laws, work to document abuses of those in the informal economy and the gathering of correct statistical data on the spread of HIV-AIDS. He concluded by once again thanking all delegates and observers present and condemning the deportation of the South Africans and Norwegians.

Conclusion

17 It is hard to convey in a formal report just how impressive the organisation and conduct of the Congress actually was. The unity shown throughout and the determination of the delegates to proceed with their agenda in a spirit of solidarity and fraternity in face of attempts to disrupt the process were phenomenal. In addition to the formal programme the Congress was interspersed with a fantastic cultural programme including dancers, poets, a dramatic presentation and the ZCTU choir which gave a real flavour of the vibrancy and dynamism of the Zimbabwean people and culture in spite of current hardships.

18 The TUC delegation was also able to visit a number of townships and briefly went to Budiriro where a by-election was being held following the death of MDC MP and trade unionist Gilbert Shoko as a result of injuries sustained in an attack during the previous general election. Zimbabwe clearly faces a very hard road ahead, but the quality of leadership and rank and file participation in this Congress can only lead to optimism that eventually Zimbabweans themselves will be able to turn their situation around.

The British and international trade union movements should stand ready to offer assistance when needed in this process. Thanks are due to the members of the ZCTU Information Department who ensured the welfare of international guests during our brief stay and were unfailingly helpful in answering questions and providing logistical support during an extremely hectic period for them and to the British Embassy in Harare for meeting the delegation at the airport and being available in case of problems.

[1] International Financial Institutions (IMF, World Bank etc)