Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Zimbabwe (Ratification: 1989)

1. Effective tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report, as well as the comments of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) received in September 2006. It notes that tripartite consultations are still being held on the ratification of Conventions Nos. 121, 122, 151, 156, 167, 175, 183 and 184, and requests the Government to keep it informed of the action taken as a result of these consultations (Article 5, paragraph 1(d), of the Convention).

2. Consultations with representative organizations. The ZCTU indicates that the concept of tripartism is not taken seriously by the Government and that the decisions of the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF), which is not governed by any statute, are subject to review by the Cabinet. According to the ZCTU, the Government, which has continued to promulgate new labour laws without consulting the social partners, takes time to send reports on the application of ILO Conventions to the trade union for comments, and often finds it difficult to furnish these reports, as well as interfering in the selection of worker representatives to tripartite meetings. The Government indicates in its report that tripartite consultations continue to be held within the auspices of the TNF and that it is currently working with its development partners, which include the ILO, on capacity building for the representatives of the Government and the social partners so that the TNF’s deliberations are more effective in influencing socio-economic development. The Committee draws the Government’s attention to the pending issues relating to the exercise of trade union rights and requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the progress achieved in establishing “effective” tripartite consultations with “representative organizations” enjoying the right of freedom of association on the matters relating to international labour standards covered by the Convention (Articles 1, 2 and 5 of the Convention).