This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS HARARE 000584
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR AF/S, DRL
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JFRAZER
E. O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ELAB PGOV ZI
SUBJECT: GOZ BACKS AWAY FROM CONFRONTATION WITH ZCTU?
Ref: Harare 550
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET POSTING.
1. (SBU) An interesting exchange between the Minister of
Labor, July Moyo, and an employers' representative
reportedly took place in a recent Tripartite Negotiating
Forum meeting. When the employers' rep asked the Minister's
view on whether or not his association should be dealing
with the GOZ-created shell labor organization Zimbabwe
Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU), Moyo replied, "There is
only one king at a time..." Employer and labor reps both
took this as an indication that the GOZ was backing away
from its previous heavy-handed support of the group it
created to challenge the primacy of the internationally-
recognized (and opposition aligned) Zimbabwe Congress of
Trade Unions (ZCTU).
2. (SBU) Comment: Whether this position reflects the GOZ's
formal strategy is unclear. There is no doubt that the GOZ
has gained much useful propaganda (as well as an increased
veneer of legitimacy) from its very public "consultations"
with the ZCTU in the TNF meetings (ref). Last year, the GOZ
actually paid for the rival ZFTU to attend and "advise" at
the International Labor Organization's (ILO's) annual
convention in Geneva -- although it ultimately granted the
ZCTU formal recognition as the accredited labor
representative -- where the government gained widespread
international condemnation for its campaign against
organized labor in general and the ZCTU in particular.
Whether or not the GOZ insists on ZFTU participation in this
year's ILO conference in May may well indicate its long-term
intentions towards the ZCTU. End comment.
Sullivan