Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Zimbabwe (Ratification: 2003)

With reference to its observation, the Committee notes that under section 65(2) of the new Constitution, except for members of the security services, every person has a right to form and join trade unions of his or her choice and to participate in lawful activities thereof. The Committee notes that under section 207 of the Constitution, prisons and correctional services are included in the definition of “security services” and recalls in this respect, that it has always considered that the functions exercised by prison staff did not justify their exclusion from the right to establish and join trade unions. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures so as to ensure that prison and correctional services’ employees enjoy the right to organize enshrined in the Convention and asks the Government to provide information on all steps taken to that end.