Staff Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) says it will report the inhumane workers abuses being perpetrated by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation (SMEDCO) to the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
This follows reports on escalating victimisation and intimidation of workers at SMEDCO with the latest victim being Workersโ Committee chairman, Maxwell Chinhoro who was disabled from discharging his duties after being transferred from Harare to Lupane in Matabeleland North.
โThe sudden and unilateral transfer to Lupane with less than five daysโ notice, at a time when workers at the institution are engaged in an ongoing labour dispute concerning unfulfilled commitments made at Works Council level was effected without consultation.
โIn the considered view of the ZCTU, the timing, circumstances, and nature of the transfer strongly indicate an act of victimisation targeted at a workersโ representative in order to punish and silence legitimate representation of workersโ interests,โ he said.
Such conduct, the ZCTU said is inconsistent with Zimbabweโs obligations under international labour law, particularly ILO Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, which guarantees workers the right to freely organise and participate in workersโ organisations without interference; and
The ZCTU also contends that ILO Convention No. 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining, which expressly prohibits acts of anti-union discrimination and protects workers from prejudice due to their participation in trade union activities was also violated.
โThe victimisation, harassment, transfer, or dismissal of Workersโ Committee members because of their representational role constitutes a serious violation of these international standards and undermines the foundations of social dialogue and collective bargaining,โ the workers body.
The ZCTU made it clear that the protection of workersโ representatives is a cornerstone of democratic labour relations and cannot be compromised by acts of intimidation or retaliation.
โThe transfer of a Workersโ Committee Chairperson under circumstances that suggest punitive intent amounts to anti-union discrimination and interference with workersโ organisational rights.
โIf such conduct persists, the ZCTU will have no hesitation in escalating the matter to international supervisory mechanisms, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), as a formal complaint for violation of ILO Conventions 87 and 98, to which Zimbabwe is a party,โ added ZCTU.
Labour therefore called upon the employer to immediately cease all acts of victimisation against workersโ representatives, respect lawful labour processes, and engage in good faith social dialogue to resolve the underlying labour dispute.
SMEDCO was reminded that Zimbabwe has committed itself internationally to uphold freedom of association, collective bargaining, and the protection of workersโ representatives, and these obligations must be honoured in both law and practice.
