Raymond majongwe, secretary general of the progressive teachers union of. This southern african country of 12 million people has been rocked by strike action throughout the1990s. The labour movement was organisationally weak upon independence, and numerous wildcat strikes in 198081 were harshly crushed by the zimbabwe african national union government under robert mugabe saunders 2001. Methodology of the study period of the study the study was conducted for a period of 6 months from july 2012 to december 2012. Blanchflower dartmouth college, national bureau of economic research and centre for economic performance, lse revised. Businessdigest reporter kudzai kuwaza kk caught up with the zimbabwe congress of trade unions secretarygeneral. Below is a list of some of them and their categories. Growth decelerated between 2010 and 2012 due to policy inconsistencies and political uncertainty showing that while it is relatively easy to ignite recovery. Trade unions in zimbabwe and their types free zimsec. Gertrude hambira, secretary general of the general agriculture and plantation.
The african trade union congress atuc was a national trade union centre in rhodesia later zimbabwe. The zimbabwe congress of trade unions zctu has issued the following statement on the powersharing deal between robert mugabes zanupf and morgan tsvangirai and arthur mutambaras two mdc groups. May 19, 2017 zimbabwe recently joined the rest of the world in commemorating workers day on may 1. The commercial farmers union of zimbabwe cfu is an independent and politically neutral membership driven organisation which represents and advances the interests of professional farmers in zimbabwe and elsewhere in africa.
List zimbabwe federation of trade union zftu in the zimbabwe business telephone directory. For a number of scholars, mahmood mamdanis lessons of zimbabwe requires a further response, given mamdanis stature as a scholar and public intellectual lrb, 4 december 2008. August, 1996 this project was funded under purchase order no. This research was largely conducted in the course of my doctoral thesis, defended at the london school of economics in 2002.
The process has begun in some unions, but at a very slow pace. Put a condition in a contract of employment preventing an employee joining a trade union. Zimbabwe congress of trade unions phone and map of address. The zimbabwe sanctions program implemented by the office of foreign assets control ofac on march began 7, 2003, when the edpresident issu executive order e. The employers confederation of zimbabwe fosters a working relationship with the trade unions and from time to time will promote joint representation to government in areas of mutual concern in the labour market. While as a rule it is true that the formation of unions preceded that of employers associations, there are important examples where the initiative for multiemployer bar.
At the advent of independence in 1980 in zimbabwe, another central concern of government was that of addressing the inherited inequalities of the past in human resource development. The zctu was formed on february 28, 1981 through the merger of six trade union centres. Named the trade union congress of zimbabwe, tucz in short, the new worker representative body was formed by a group of former zimbabwe congress of trade unions zctu affiliates. Congress of trade unions zctu became increasingly and vocally opposed to the government in the 1990s and has played a critical civilsociety. The major factors that contributed to zimbabwe s poor economic. An analysis of trade unions in zimbabwe by the united states. Since the disputed elections of 2008, zimbabwe has been run by a government of national unity gnufollowing a disputed election whose mandate ranged from sorting out the economic messy as well as to prepare the country for a credible election, an undisputed free and election. Firstly, the trade union movement in zimbabwe is paralysed.
This paper explores issues arising in relations between trade unions and nongovernmental organizations ngos. The timespan of the article is from the formation of a firstclass rhodesian team in august 1890 until the inaugural test appearance of zimbabwe in october 1992. The economy contracted by over 40% in the decade leading to 2010. Pdf the rise and fall of trade unionism in zimbabwe. Zambia zactu and zimbabwe zctu influenced the formation of political opposition. Several incidents occurred during the year, however. This trade union guide to bilaterals has been produced in an effort to start to fill an information gap, such that trade unions can be provided with the capacities to get more involved. Zimbabwe workers rights irish congress of trade unions. This national centre was not established as a spontaneous initiative of the labour. The study sought to investigate the reasons why the popularity of the zimbabwe congress of trade unions amongst workers in zimbabwe has taken a plunge. Events in zimbabwe assume further importance not only because it is an important capitalist state in africa, but also by its connection to south africa, the biggest and most important centre of global capitalism on the continent. The constitution of zimbabwe allows freedom of association to all, provided that no person may compel any other person to join an association or to attend a meeting or gathering. This southern african country of 12 million people has been rocked by strike action throughout.
An analysis of trade unions in zimbabwe by the united. Members of the zimbabwe congress of trade unions zctu still face harassment at the hands of the police, zanupf youths and the central intelligence organisation. African trade union congress atuc led by phineas sithole, national african trade union congress natuc led by j. Zimbabwe zimbabwe is a country where serious trade union rights violations persist, despite the new government of national unity. List zimbabwe federation of trade union zftu in zimbabwes.
Except for those in security services, workers are allowed to form unions and to participate in the lawful activities of those unions and organisations. Congress of trade unions zctu became increasingly and vocally opposed to the government in the 1990s and has played a critical civil society. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. The african ejournals project has digitized full text of. All but one of these unions are formally affiliated. The labour market and economic development 19802000. Special reference will be made to the way in which trade unions in. The rise and fall of trade unionism in zimbabwe, part i. The zimbabwe congress of trade unions zctu emerged from under the wing of the ruling party in the second half of the 1980s to become the epicentre of organised opposi tional politics in zimbabwe. As a result, for the most part, they have lost organic contact with union rankandfile members. Growth of zimbabwe s real gdp during the period 1980 to 1992 averaged 2. African trade union congress atuc, the national african trade union congress natuc, the trade union congress of zimbabwe tucz, the united trade unions of zimbabwe utuz, the zimbabwe federation of labour zfl and the zimbabwe trade union congress ztuc.
These relations have a long history and are complex, ranging from close cooperation to problematic relationships. Zimbabwe ituc survey of violations of trade union rights. The former general secretary was morgan tsvangirai. These funds are controlled by the union leaderships. The zimbabwe congress of trade unions is the primary trade union federation in zimbabwe.
The 1963 nationalist movement split into zimbabwe african peoples union zapu and zimbabwe african national union zanu. This national centre was not established as a spontaneous initiative of the labour unions themselves but as the initiative of the state with its corporatist interest. The unions are strongest in the service sector, which employs. Eu sanctions on zimbabwe were first imposed in 2002, by common position 2002145cfsp, in relation to the escalation of violence and intimidation of political opponents and the harassment of the independent press. The aim of the debates was to assess the character, causes and impacts of zimbabwes crisis in different social spheres and to discuss possible future perspectives. An organisational study of five trade unions in zimbabwe. The reason why the trade unions were chosen as a focus of the research are numerous. In the 1960s, trade unions in africa were very instrumental in the struggle for independence across the continent. However, the extent to which democratisation and economic reform has been achieved has been strongly conditioned, on the one hand, by the weaknesses and. During independence struggle, trade unions across the continent offered the most important platform for ordinary people to voice their frustrations and to demand for selfdetermination. A case of tanzania teachers union, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for award of the degree of master of science in accounting and finance m sc. Trade unions and democracy in zambia democracy in africa.
This article is an introduction to the history of firstclass cricket in zimbabwe, formerly rhodesia and before 1965 southern rhodesia. Zimbabwe congress of trade unions, trade unions, zimbabwe. Much will depend on the power struggle within the ruling party, the cohesion of the opp osition and the ability of the international community to seize the moment and re engage the country in a process of real and meaningful change. Zimbabwe s permanent secretary for information nick mangwana says. The department is one of the eleven 11 departments that form the operational structure of the zimbabwe congress of trade unions. Growth of zimbabwes real gdp during the period 1980 to 1992 averaged 2. To provide leadership in the provision of advisory and consultancy services on labour and employment matters, including. Manoj p k abstract a strong and stable union in each industrial enterprise is essential for good industrial relations.
From an early stage, the establishment of a singleparty state was openly espoused see, inter alia, cliffe, mpofu and munslow, 1980. The zimbabwe congress of trade unions is at the centre of emancipatory, grassroots activism in zimbabwe, providing potential for a democratic, antineoliberal future. A case of tanzania teachers union by mohamed mussa a dissertation submitted to mzumbe university dar es salaam campus college in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of master of science in accounting and finance m sc. Zimbabwe footwear tanners and allied workers union. The day came at a time the country faces a deepening economic crisis characterised by a severe liquidity crunch, company closures and resultant job losses. Workers struggles in zimbabwe one such case is that of zimbabwe, which forms the focus of this article. Jeffrey mutandare is a former president of the zctu. Discriminate against a worker on the grounds that he is a member of a union. Trade unions zctu and the zimbabwe federation of trade.
Zimbabwe since the inception of the inclusive government of zimbabwe in february 2009, zimbabwe has been recovering from a low economic base. Commercial workers union of zimbabwe, unions, zimbabwe. To discourage and oppose the formation of splinter trade unions in zimbabwe, or any other forms of worker disunity. Unions create democratic space in zimbabwe solidarity center. Pdf the rise and fall of trade unionism in zimbabwe, part i.
Zimbabwes economy, macroeconomic stability and policy, economic governance, foreign trade. As clearly demonstrated a trade union can belong to more than one category. Zimbabwe congress of trade unions zctu 8th ordinary conference 29 september 1 october 2016, pandhari hotel, harare resolutions we, the delegates attending the zimbabwe congress of trade unions 8th ordinary conference held at pandhari hotel in harare from 29 september 2016 1 october 2016. Are broad ranging unions which represents workers from all industries and companies, rather than just one organisation or a particular sector, as in a craft union or industrial union. The act prescribes the composition and functioning of employment councils. Trapped between an ongoing informalisation of the african economies on the one hand and the consequences of. November 1996, the zimbabwe congress of trade unions. Sata hinted that the specter of this hereto latent industrial action was largely the work of members of the zambia congress of trade unions zctu aligned with the movement for multiparty democracy mmd, and was politically motivated in light of the patriotic fronts pf recent presidential and legislative victories. In 199798 tsvangirai successfully led a series of strikes against president mugabes taxation policy. The institutionalisation of collective bargaining in. Zctu, the private sector union federation, tried to launch a twoday general strike in solidarity. The institutionalisation of collective bargaining in zimbabwe.
The three ministers who went to brussels seeking the removal of sanctions and the normalisation of relations between zimbabwe and the european union were told in no uncertain terms that. The department also works directly with affiliate trade union. Commercial workers union of zimbabwe phone and map of address. Are broad ranging unions which represents workers from all industries and companies, rather than just one organisation or a particular sector, as in a craft union or industrial union some are known as super unions which can be formed by a merger of various unions to overlook the welfare of all workers. As union influence on wages has fallen, wage inequality has grown in many countries, perhaps to the detriment of most. The main objective of the programme for integrated hiv care for tuberculosis patients with hivaids ihc for over five years was to develop innovative strategies for feasible and sustainable tbhiv services that could be replicated in other urban centres and district health services in the country and outside zimbabwe. The atuc represented black african workers, and was opposed to the system of white minority rule in rhodesia. Collective bargaining in a challenging economy the herald. I wish to thank sam moyo and brian raftopoulos for their advice, as well as staff at the institute of development studies university of zimbabwe and at the zimbabwe congress of trade unions for their assistance. The decline in trade union density in the 21stcentury in zimbabwe.
Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Industrial relations trade or labour unions can by described as organized groupings of wage and salary earners with the purpose of bringing to bear the economic, social and political interests of their members in labour relations and the political system. Types of trade unions free zimsec revision notes and. The zimbabwe congress of trade unions zctu is seen as being close to the movement for democratic change mdc and has been a particular target for harassment as a result, although the mdcs participation in the government has helped the situation slightly. The general secretary of zctu is wellington chibebe and the president is lovemore matombo. Zimbabwes foreign trade performance during the decade of economic turmoil will exports recover. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Mass protests proposed by the combined force of civil servants, labour unions and the opposition mdc alliance have plunged president emmerson mnangagwa and his zanu pf party into panic, amid fears the unfolding economic crisis could morph into a fullyfledged uprising of november 2017 proportions. Since the 1990s ngos and other funders have plied funds into trade unions. The decline in trade union density in the 21stcentury in. Trade unions in zimbabwe and their types there are a number of trade unions that operate in zimbabwe. Some are known as super unions which can be formed by a merger of various unions to overlook the welfare of all workers. Employment councils and employment boards, replacing the industrial councils and boards which still existed under the ica 1959. To strive for the achievement of the highest possible percentage of membership and achievement of compulsory check off of trade union levies and dues in zimbabwe.
The role and influence of trade unions in the oecd david g. The position of the congress of south african trade unions cosatu, which should be read in the context in the zctu statement, follows. Bartlomiej kaminski and francis ng 222011 key words. Sbu in zimbabwe there are two large organizations that. African working class nationalism, 19571963 grounds that it was subversive resulted in the emergence of politically militant nationalism whose objective was now the overthrow of the status quo. Refuse to employ a person on the grounds that he is a member of a union. Other articles where zimbabwe congress of trade unions is discussed. The study will trace the history of trade unions in zimbabwe from their formative age to the end of the 20th century, looking at the factors that contributed towards the. Trade unions in zimbabwe role, functions of workers union. Complete the form below to list zimbabwe federation of trade union zftu in the next edition of zimbabwes business telephone directory. Trade unions in zimbabwe role, functions of workers.
One, it is not about democracy, the mdc or some such nebulous ideal that we have sanctions against zimbabwe. When unions and ngos cooperate, their joint impact on social and political events can be quite powerful. Zimbabwe congress of trade unions labour organization. Firstly, trade unions usually function as significant collective interest groups whose role is fundamental to the reproduction of the economy. Trade union services and benefits in africa edited by. From the beginning, the zimbabwe congress oftrade unions zctu. Position of the european union on sanctions against zimbabwe with reference to recent statements made by zimbabwean officials and underlined by the local press on the occasion of the recent sadc summit in dar es salaam, according to which the socalled sanctions imposed against zimbabwe by the eu have. This act creates or better recreatesthe institutions for collective bargaining. Foreign trade during the decade of economic turmoil. Apr 05, 2017 trade unions fall under the ambit of the ministry of public service, labour and social services. At the same time the involvement of trade unions through monitoring, consultation and engagement in these bilateral trade agreements is often lacking1. J dube, trade union congress of rhodesia tucr led by howard bloomfield, zimbabwe african congress of.
Problems faced by trade unions in zimbabwe essay 2580 words 11 pages. This paper traces the development, operations and challenges of african trade unions in colonial zimbabwe from the imposition of colonial rule in the 1890s up to the establishment of the first political party in 1957. The sanctions comprised an arms embargo, as well as an asset freeze and travel ban on targeted people and entities. A14 appendix 1 labor unions and collective bargaining unions, change to win remains a much smaller organization than the aflcio, but its leaders have been very active in promoting the growth of unions.