ACTIVITIES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMISSION OF INQUIRY REPORT RECOMMENDATION 4 & 5

Training course on International Labour Standards and judicial independence and ethics for labour court judges, conciliators, arbitrators and lawyers in Zimbabwe

The main objective of the course was to equip judges, conciliators, arbitrators and lawyers with the knowledge that will enable them to use international labour law sources to resolve labour disputes, and to carry out this task guided by the principles of judicial independence and ethics.

At the end of this training, participants were expected to: have an in-depth knowledge of the instruments and supervisory machinery of the ILS system; be able to use the analysis and pronouncements of the ILO’s supervisory bodies that provide an in-depth understanding of the scope and meaning of ILS; be able to determine when and how domestic judges, conciliators, arbitrators and lawyers can use international labour law to solve labour disputes; be able to identify and make use of ILS in key areas such as freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining and termination of employment; have a better knowledge of the main legal instruments and other relevant documents enshrining and defining the principles and values which should guide the work and conduct of judges.

Summary of topics covered: The participants were taken through presentations and discussions on the ILO and the international labour standards system and the ILS on termination of employment; the ILO Supervisory bodies and ILS on freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining; National legislation and judicial cases in Zimbabwe; The national experience on the judicial application of international law. The participants also had the opportunity to break into groups to discuss various practical situations related to freedom of association and collective bargaining