Zimbabwe Government accepts ILO Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations

GENEVA - ILO News - The Government of Zimbabwe has informed the Director-General of the ILO, Juan Somavia, that it accepts the recommendations contained in the report of the ILO Commission of Inquiry on trade union rights in the country.

The report was submitted to the ILO Governing Body at its Session in March of this year. The Government, in its reply dated 20 April 2010 has accepted the recommendations made by the Commission of Inquiry “in the spirit of engagement among the people of Zimbabwe”.

The Government has indicated that these recommendations will be implemented in the context of its current legislative and institutional reform programme. It welcomes the guidance and support of the ILO in its implementation of the Commission’s recommendations.

The Commission of Inquiry examined in the course of 2009 the observance by Zimbabwe of the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98).

The recommendations of the Commission’s report entitled “Truth, reconciliation and justice in Zimbabwe”, focus on the need for legislative reform; the cessation of anti-union arrests, detentions, violence, torture, intimidation and harassment, interference and discrimination; strengthening of national institutions and social dialogue; training on freedom of association and collective bargaining, civil liberties and human rights; and the reinforcement of the rule of law and the role of the Courts.

"I welcome the positive response of the Government of Zimbabwe to the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry and the commitment it has given to fully implement the recommendations. The ILO will continue to work with and support the Government, Employers and Workers of Zimbabwe in their efforts to ensure full observance of freedom of association and collective bargaining rights in the country" said the ILO Director-General Juan Somavia upon receiving the reply of the Government of Zimbabwe.