Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions

Last updated

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
FoundedFebruary 28, 1981
Headquarters Harare, Zimbabwe
Location
Members400,000
Key people
Morgan Tsvangirai, Former Secretary General
Lovemore Matombo, president
Isaac Matongo, former Vice-President,
Gibson Sibanda, Former President
Affiliations ITUC, CTUC, OATUU
Website www.zctu.co.zw

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions is the primary trade union federation in Zimbabwe. The Secretary General of ZCTU is Japhet Moyo and the president is Peter Mutasa. The former General Secretary was Morgan Tsvangirai. Jeffrey Mutandare is a former president of the ZCTU. [1]

Contents

History

The ZCTU was formed on February 28, 1981 through the merger of six trade union centres: 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). [1] [2] The ZCTU was established by the ruling party, ZANU-PF, with the aim of reducing industrial disputation, and improving the influence of the government over the union movement. [1] [3]

Prior to the creation of the state of Zimbabwe official trade unions in Rhodesia were largely controlled by the white minority and worked to preserve the economic privilege of white workers over the black majority. [1] While trade unions representing the black majority workforce did exist, their activities were hampered by the racially discriminatory Rhodesian government, and their close association with the black nationalist movement meant they were relatively inactive during the Rhodesian Bush War. Trade union membership increased rapidly following the establishment of majority-rule government in 1980, and reached approximately 200,000 in 1985. [1] The number of strikes and industrial disputes also increased dramatically, against the wishes of the new government. [4] It was to combat this trend that the government established the ZCTU, as well as promising the introduction of a minimum wage and limited industrial democracy. [4]

The initial leadership of the ZCTU was politically closely associated with the government, and was dismissed in 1984 for corruption. [4] Their replacements (following a period of caretaker administration) were also found to be corrupt, with the General Secretary removed for missappropriating funds in November 1986. [4] The direction of the ZCTU changed dramatically after the appointment of Jeffrey Mutandare, of the Associated Mineworkers' Union. [4] Mutandare was much more willing than previous leaders to criticise government policy, including the new Labour Relations Act of 1985, which he claimed centralised control over the trade union movement in the Ministry of Labour. [4]

In the 1990s the ZCTU grew increasingly opposed to the government of Robert Mugabe due to the government's pursuit of neoliberal economic policies, as well as perceived government corruption and authoritarianism. [5] At its 1995 Congress the ZCTU launched a major economic policy statement, 'Beyond ESAP', criticising the Mugabe government's adoption of the Economic Structural Adjustment Programme (ESAP). [6] The ESAP involved the introduction of neoliberal macroeconomic policies, at the encouragement of the World Bank. [6] The ZCTU was the main force behind the formation of the opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change, established in 1999. [5] The Secretary-General of the ZCTU, Morgan Tsvangirai, later became the President of the MDC. [5]

Affiliates

As of January 2014 the following unions were affiliated to the ZCTU.

Related Research Articles

Until roughly 2,000 years ago, what would become Zimbabwe was populated by ancestors of the San people. Bantu inhabitants of the region arrived and developed ceramic production in the area. A series of trading empires emerged, including the Kingdom of Mapungubwe and Kingdom of Zimbabwe. In the 1880s, the British South Africa Company began its activities in the region, leading to the colonial era in Southern Rhodesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ZANU–PF</span> Ruling political party of Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF) is a political organisation which has been the ruling party of Zimbabwe since independence in 1980. The party was led for many years by Robert Mugabe, first as prime minister with the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) and then as president from 1987 after the merger with the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) and retaining the name ZANU–PF, until 2017, when he was removed as leader.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edgar Tekere</span> Zimbabwean politician (1937–2011)

Edgar Zivanai Tekere, nicknamed "2 Boy", was a Zimbabwean politician. He was the second and last Secretary General of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) who organised the party during the Lancaster House talks and served in government before his popularity as a potential rival to Robert Mugabe caused their estrangement.

Gibson Jama Sibanda was a Zimbabwean politician and trade unionist. He was a founding member of the Movement for Democratic Change and at the time of his death was the Vice-President of the faction of the Movement for Democratic Change led by Arthur Mutambara. A former president of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, he was first elected to the House of Assembly in the 2000 parliamentary election. He was a member of the Senate and a Minister of State in the Office of Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara at the time of his death in 2010.

The Southern Rhodesia African National Congress (SRANC) was a political party active between 1957–1959 in Southern Rhodesia. Committed to the promotion of indigenous African welfare, it was the first fully fledged black nationalist organisation in the country. While short-lived — it was outlawed by the predominantly white minority government in 1959 — it marked the beginning of political action towards black majority rule in Southern Rhodesia, and was the original incarnation of the National Democratic Party (NDP); the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU); the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU); and the Zimbabwe African National Union — Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF), which has governed Zimbabwe continuously since 1980. Many political figures who later became prominent, including Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, were members of the SRANC.

The following lists events that happened during 2007 in Zimbabwe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in Zimbabwe</span>

There were widespread reports of systematic and escalating violations of human rights in Zimbabwe under the regime of Robert Mugabe and his party, ZANU-PF, between 1980 and 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tendai Biti</span> Zimbabwean politician

Tendai Laxton Biti is a Zimbabwean politician who served as Finance Minister of Zimbabwe from 2009 to 2013. He is the second Vice President of Citizens Coalition for Change. He was the Secretary-General of the Movement for Democratic Change and the subsequent Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T) political parties and a Member of Parliament for Harare East until he was expelled from the party and recalled from parliament in mid-2014,before winning the seat again in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thokozani Khupe</span> Zimbabwean politician and trade unionist

Thokozani Khupe is a Zimbabwean politician, trade unionist and CCC party member. She was Deputy Prime Minister 2009–13.

Zimbabwe regained its independence from the United Kingdom on 17 April 1980. Canaan Banana, a Methodist minister and theologian, became the first President of Zimbabwe on 18 April.

Blessing Chebundo is a Zimbabwean politician, a member of parliament and a leading figure in the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). He rose to fame by defeating Emmerson Mnangagwa in a contest to represent Kwekwe constituency in the parliament of Zimbabwe in the 2000 parliamentary election. Mnangagwa, a heavyweight in ZANU-PF, was predicted to easily win the constituency, but Chebundo won the seat despite threats to his life. As an incumbent, he again defeated Mnangagwa and was re-elected in the March 2005 parliamentary election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States–Zimbabwe relations</span> Bilateral relations

United States–Zimbabwe relations are bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and the United States. Both countries share a common history and language as former British colonies.

Campaigning for the first round of the presidential election held in Zimbabwe on 29 March 2008 took place from February to March. There were three major candidates: President Robert Mugabe of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), Morgan Tsvangirai of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, and the independent candidate Simba Makoni.

This article gives an overview of liberal parties in Zimbabwe. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ means a reference to another party in that scheme. For inclusion in this scheme it isn't necessary so that parties labeled themselves as a liberal party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Movement for Democratic Change (1999–2005)</span> Zimbabwean political party

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) was a Zimbabwean political party organised under the leadership of Morgan Tsvangirai. The MDC was formed in 1999 as an opposition party to President Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF). The MDC was made up of many civic groups who campaigned for the "No" vote in the 2000 constitutional referendum, which would limit a president's service to two terms, before the introduction of a prime minister, as well as giving legal immunities to the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai</span> Political party in Zimbabwe

The Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC–T) is a centre-left political party and was the main opposition party in the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe ahead of the 2018 elections. After the split of the original Movement for Democratic Change in 2005, the MDC–T remained the major opposition faction, while a smaller faction, the Movement for Democratic Change – Ncube, or MDC–N, was led by Welshman Ncube.

Felix Magalela Mafa Sibanda born 5 February 1951 is a Zimbabwean activist, community organizer, politician and member of parliament for Magwegwe in Bulawayo for the MDC-T party, as well as being national vice spokesperson for that party. He is from the Ndebele Royal inner circle, his great-great-grandfather, Masonginyoka arrived from Transvaal with Mzilikazi as a personal doctor to the King. Tshokomela, his fathers father was also King Lobengula's doctor who gave rise to his father Maphahla, also nicknamed Mafa Sigodo meaning the "heir" hence the name Mafa or Ilifa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zimbabwe and the Commonwealth of Nations</span> History of Zimbabwes relations with the Commonwealth of Nations

Zimbabwe and the Commonwealth of Nations have had a controversial and stormy diplomatic relationship. Zimbabwe is a former member of the Commonwealth, having withdrawn in 2003, and the issue of Zimbabwe has repeatedly taken centre stage in the Commonwealth, both since Zimbabwe's independence and as part of the British Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morgan Tsvangirai</span> Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, 2009 to 2013

Morgan Richard Tsvangirai was a Zimbabwean politician who was Prime Minister of Zimbabwe from 2009 to 2013. He was president of the Movement for Democratic Change, and later the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC–T), and a key figure in the opposition to former president Robert Mugabe.

The General Council of the Trades Union Congress is an elected body which is responsible for carrying out the policies agreed at the annual British Trade Union Congresses (TUC).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Williams, Gwyneth; Hackland, Brian (1988). The Dictionary of Contemporary Politics of Southern Africa. London: Routledge. p. 322. ISBN   0-415-00245-1 . Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  2. Chikuhwa, Jacob W. (2008). Zimbabwe: Beyond a School Certificate. AuthorHouse. p. 100. ISBN   978-1-4389-0668-3 . Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  3. Munyaradzi Gwisai (2002). "Revolutionaries, resistance and crisis in Zimbabwe". LINKS: international journal of socialist renewal. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Stoneman, Colin; Cliffe, Lionel (1989). Zimbabwe: Politics, Economics and Society. London and New York: Pinter Publishers. pp. 106–107. ISBN   0-86187-454-4.
  5. 1 2 3 Hudleston, Sarah (2005). Face of Courage: A Biography of Morgan Tsvangirai. Cape Town: Double Storey Books. pp. 37–55. ISBN   1-77013-005-5 . Retrieved 12 August 2012.; Lucien van der Walt, 1998, "Trade Unions in Zimbabwe: for democracy, against neo-liberalism", Capital and Class, number 66, 1998, pp. 85-117.
  6. 1 2 Kanyenze, Godfrey (2006). "The Textile and Clothing Industry in Zimbabwe" (PDF). In Jauch, Herbert; Traub-Merz, Rudolf (eds.). The Future of the Textile and Clothing Industry in Sub-Saharan Africa. Bonn: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. p. 286. Retrieved 5 September 2012.