Interview with Vimbai Mushongera from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions

Interview with Vimbai Mushongera from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions.

Vimbai Mushongera and Victor Dlamini from the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions talking to Mark Beacon from ACTSA, Beverley Hall from Prospect Union and Bandula Kothalawala from the TUC

What is a typical day like for you?

I wake up every morning at 4:30am to get my son ready for school. Sometimes if no-one can take him, he has to walk about 5km just to catch the bus which leaves at 7.45am. After my son setting off, I make my way to the office. This means I am often the first in to work! Of course, this situation is a drastic change from last year when we used to queue for cash at the bank, queue for basic items and so on. Last year, my mornings would be split between queuing and then finding people to monitor the queue and then call you when it's nearly your turn! I am supposed to go and breastfeed my 1 year old child at midday but its pointless. The transport system is unreliable and just going home to feed my child can end up taking half of the afternoon. Because my department is so new to the organisation my days recently have been spent meeting partners and fundraising for the department. I leave the office around 7pm most days, to go home to look after my family.

How did you first get involved in trade unions?

When I left school I was employed by a bank. During my first week the organiser Mr. Chitabwe came to organise the branch. My interest was sparked and I joined the union. As a member of the Zimbabwe Banks and Allied Workers Union, I rose through the ranks to become the National Executive in charge of campaigns. I was at Barclays Bank for 9 years and was lead negotiator in the Works Council. When my sister died in a tragic accident I decided to leave and set up an NGO, the Indigenous Business Women's Organisation, which she had always talked about doing. I was with the organisation for three years after which I moved to an Arrow Micro Credit Scheme. After two years I joined the Commonwealth Trade Union Council project with ZCTU Informal Economy Desk. In May this year, after 9 years, I took up my new role at the ZCTU.

What is your current role within the ZCTU?

I am the parliament, advocacy and international affairs officer. I facilitate engagement of the Trade union body with parliament and lobby for support of trade union recognised bills and labour law reform. I ensure that the ZCTU inputs into the formulation of the national budget. I work closely with MPs, running workshops with them so that they can appreciate the Labour angle and perspective and to mobilise support for the ZCTU and workers in Zimbabwe.

What is the current situation with the unity government?

The unity government has not changed much in terms of respect for trade union rights and human rights. They have done nothing to respect civil liberties. It has been a serious disappointment. Civil society was expecting a more functional government; this has not been the case. The unity government is incapable of the stability that everyone wants; we are stuck in a quagmire as they cannot deliver.

What has been happening recently with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) withdrawing from government and the arrests of trade unionists in Zimbabwe?

The MDC withdrew from the unity government in an attempt to put pressure on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to ensure that ZANU PF meet their obligations under the Global Political Agreement (GPA). Trade unions never subscribed to the process of coming up with a Government of National Unity (GNU) we didn't anticipate that it would improve the situation for Zimbabweans, if anything it would get worse.

Trade unions are still being targeted by government agents. Workers are being shot if they undertake industrial action,

trade union meetings are disturbed and trade union leaders arrested. This makes sure that trade unions and activists feel very unsafe which makes it very difficult for us to have confidence that any change will actually happen.

What have you learnt during your visit and what are the key issues you will be working on when you return to Zimbabwe?

My visit has been full of experiences and I have learnt so much. This will really help to shape my new role and strategically plan the year ahead. I want to re-focus the way in which we communicate our messages and ensure further monitoring of the political scene. When I get back I will also be concentrating on capacity building for the ZCTU, twinning activities in solidarity with trade unionists from Swaziland and implementing a possible programme which will start to tackle equality in Zimbabwe. I will be working on the Labour Law Reform Bill and the Health and Safety Bill. We have done a lot of work with MPs and Ministries on these pieces of legislation and generally we are making progress, there are a lot of ex-trade unionists now in parliament who appreciate the Labour position.

What can the British trade union movement do to help?

It is important that Mugabe understands that any actions will have international repercussions. Messages of support and protest letters really help us and protect us. British trade unionists could continue to write letters to the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe calling for the protection of trade union and human rights. Messages of solidarity are so appreciated and these actions from international trade unionists can save lives here in Zimbabwe. Noise now needs to come from trade union bodies all over the world; this will highlight to the world the kind of government we are still operating under.

What has the TUC been doing to support ZCTU?

The TUC has been very influential in providing technical support and recommending strategies and tactics. The solidarity visits by the leadership was a serious motivating factor for the ZCTU. There are many projects and campaigns that the TUC are helping to run and fund for example the laptop appeal and a training course for women trade unionists.

You can find out more about the TUC Aid Laptop appeal here: http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-17236-f0.cfm

Vimbai Mushongera from the ZCTU visited the UK with ACTSA and the TUC from the 30 October until the 13^th November. During that time she met MPs, trade unionists and activists to discuss the current political situation in Zimbabwe. Whilst she was here 5 trade unionists, including the President of the ZCTU were arrested in Zimbabwe for holding a public meeting, these trade unionists have since been released. This further highlighted the continued violation of trade union rights that Vimbai had been communicating to politicians and the UK trade union movement. Vimbai also addressed the DFID/TUC Forum, chaired by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development.

What you can do:

1. Donate money and raise funds in solidarity with trade unionists in need through TUC Aid

2. Support the TUC Aid Laptop Appeal

3. Write to the Zimbabwean Embassy to express concern over Government violations of trade union and human rights in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe High Commission, Zimbabwe House, 429 Strand, London, WC2R 0QE