Training of Trainers (ToT) for police in Zimbabwe on International Labour Standards-Freedom of association and civil liberties.

(ILO Harare) This is the last of a series of training sessions in the past five years aimed at promoting and enhancing the application in law and practice of international labour standards, particularly those on freedom of association and protection of the rights to organise and the right to organise and collective bargaining convention. It builds on previous initiatives aimed at strengthening the capacity of key institutions and personnel in the country to effectively deal with conflicts in labour relations.

In her welcoming remarks, Ms Hopolang Phororo, the ILO Country Director for Namibia and Zimbabwe, noted that “interactions in the workplace between employers and workers happen under the stewardship of the state to the extent that it makes and enforces laws through its various arms to maintain peace and order…Labour rights are key elements of human rights and civil liberties that form part of the universal declaration of human rights.” And that “Zimbabwe has actually gone further to acknowledge and affirm these rights under Section 65 of the Constitution that guarantees labour rights, including the right to strike”.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) was represented at the highest level by Police Commissioner G. N. Ndebele, who pointed out that ‘through symbiotic relations and vital platforms as these, the ZRP is able to effectively deliver on its mandate….” further noting that it was essential to ‘equip police officers with the requisite knowledge and competences on contemporary labour issues” was not only in line with their community policing thrust but also resonated with their 2016 theme: “ZRP nurturing a positive attitude, skills and knowledge to meet national demands”.

Contributing to the opening statements, the Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Honourable T.M. Matangaidze (M.P.) who was the guest of honour, said, that there is “need to build a critical mass of trained personnel if the intended objective of getting rid of information asymmetry on ILS among actors in the labour market is to bear any fruits…. Effective application of ILS creates a stable and predictable environment for business and modern economy, as conflicts between employers and workers can be channelled through orderly practices of collective bargaining and different social dialogue platforms to find common solutions to common problems. It is good for business and good for society as well”.


The participants consisted of senior trainers from the Police General Headquarters, the Staff College, the Legal Services and Provincial Training Institutions, as well as representatives of key units responsible for police training, research and development, needs identification, curriculum design and evaluation of training programmes. Mr Grahame Matthewson, an ILO Consultant, will facilitate the training process, with support from officers for the International Relations Department of the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.