Where trade unionists start their day on the net.
February 2, 2005
Dr. Robert Mugabe
President
Republic of Zimbabwe
Presidential Villa
Harare
Fax: +263-4-70.85.40
Your Excellency,
NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS PROTESTS THE EXPULSION OF WORKERS’ DELEGATION TO ZIMBABWE
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) wishes to protest this week’s action of your government to deny a South African trade union delegation access to the Zimbabwean Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).
We understand that members of the delegation of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) were turned back by Zimbabwean security and immigration forces after being served with prohibition notices.
We are also disturbed by earlier threats by your government to jail the delegation’s members should they make further efforts to enter the country.
It is regrettable that your recent action has added to the government’s already poor records of infractions of human rights and its sad subversion of efforts to address constructively the political crisis in the country.
Mr. President, Nigeria Labour Congress shares the concerns of COSATU and the rest of the international trade union movement about the need to intervene in the worsening political situation in Zimbabwe, especially the deteriorating conditions under which workers’ and popular organisations are compelled to operate.
In addition to other initiatives that may arise at the instance of the international trade union movement, Nigerian trade unions have resolved to join COSATU in the efforts to establish the facts on the ground, especially on the critical issue of whether there are conditions for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.
The challenge for your government is to see these efforts as arising from a sincere attempt at finding an African solution to what we regard as a serious situation in which Zimbabwean workers have a serious stake.
We would count on Mr. President’s constructive view of the evolving continental trade union efforts at helping to improve the political and trade union rights situation in Zimbabwe.
Please, accept the assurances of our highest esteem.
Yours faithfully,
FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS:
John E. Odah mni
General Secretary
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