Strengthening Institutional Capacity of Trade Unions in Zimbabwe
September 2009 – September 2012
This project contributes to rebuilding and strengthening the power of four service sector unions in Zimbabwe. Project activities ensure trade union and labour rights are an integral part of the rebuilding of the political and economic stuctures of Zimbabwe and includes research, strategic planning, training seminars, education campaigns, organizing, networking and coalition building at the national and regional levels.
The goal is to increase participation of workers in unions and society in general and to achieve a higher level of engagement with civil society and government on national issues. There is also the desire to gain more participation from women in the union and at a decision-making level.
Since the project began, we have witnessed an increased visibility of union participation and a strong membership growth - 1028 new members were recruited in 2010 alone! Improved wages and working conditions in banking, commerce and graphical sectors (12% wage increase in commercial sector, bonus and salary increases based on length of service in graphical sector) has also been a welcomed result of this project. The increased participation of women members has been successful to the point that most of the organizing and membership servicing is being lead by women.
The CLC works with the CEP Humanity Fund and the following overseas partners; UNI Global Union and the UNI Zimbabwe Liaison Council (UNI LCZ), including: Commercial Workers Union of Zimbabwe (CWUZ), Communications and Allied Service Workers Union of Zimbabwe (CASWUZ), Zimbabwe Graphical Workers Union (ZGWU), Zimbabwe Banks and AlliesWorkers Union (ZIBAWU)
Training Programme on Globalisation
October 2007 – September 2012
As a response to the deterioration of workers’ living standards, due to globalisation and free trade areas, the Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe (LEDRIZ) and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) have implemented this program of education and action concerning free trade and economic integration and rights.
The ZCTU has developed education materials and organized related activities to encourage debate and formulate policies and alternatives on the impact of globalisation and free trade developments on labour, as well as building a strategy to influence policy-makers.
As a result of regional networking (South Africa, Zambia), LEDRIZ was successful in putting together a National Framework Agreement on Restructuring which it then undertook awareness activities across the country to conscientisize workers on the framework and its importance.
Zimbabwe continues to experience increases in inflation and cost of living and since the multi-currency system in 2009, a deflationary economy. Erratic supplies of water and electricity, continued collapse of the social services, re-emergence of water-related diseases and political stalemate have all led to ever increasing levels of endemic poverty in the country. Most workers continue to struggle to make ends meet.
Despite these challenges, the project has been successful with good relations between LEDRIZ, ZCTU and affiliate unions. LEDRIZ training manuals and research pieces are proving to be more vital not only in wage negotiations but also in empowering the labour movement as it struggles for the betterment of all workers in the country.
The Canadian Labour Congress works with the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe (LEDRIZ), and the United Steelworkers / Steelworkers Humanity Fund (USW)
Research on Women in Trade Unions
October 2007 – September 2012
This project was designed to assess the state of gender equality and levels of participation of women in the labour movement and to identify ways of increasing women's participation and integration in union work. With research in nine countries (Botswana, Ghana, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Zambia) this project illustrated the lack of substantial improvement in gender equality, despite decades of work supporting the integration of women into the African labour movement.
The reserach includes surveys, analytical research, workshops, meetings and the production of education and research materials on the role of unions in respect to policy and advocacy on gender issues.
Recommendations of the report will be integrated in the next phases of development in participating countries.
The Canadian Labour Congress worked with the Africa Labour Researchers’ Network (ALRN) on this research.
Zimbabwe