Stephen Chadenga
“As ZCTU we say our relationship with political parties and all of them in Zimbabwe is based on mutual understanding and respect.”
The above are words said by veteran trade unionist and Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions Vice President Valentine Chikosi (pictured) while address in workers this May in Gweru in what labour experts call anti-trade union capture.
Chikosi said in ZCTU there was no room for trade union capture-the attempt by political parties and government to control the trade union movement for political gains.
“Politicians should not waste time claiming or thinking that ZCTU belongs to them. It doesn’t because it is for workers.
“As politicians you should put in place policies and laws that address the welfare of workers. If you don’t do that we will confront you head on,”he added.
The ZCTU boss said the historical fact that the opposition Movement for Democratic Change was formed from the labour body is well known and not regrettable history, but pointed out that what was rejected is ownership.
“What we don’t tolerate as ZCTU are politicians who want to claim ownership of the workers’ organisation,”said Chikosi.
Chikosi said ZCTU expected convergence of ideas that push the struggle of workers’ rights at the forefront.
“Let us have convergence of ideas and let the ideology be a pro-poor ideology, be a pro-worker interests ideology,”said the veteran trade unionist.
For workers, Chikosi’s call means independence to fight corruption without being labelled opposition and independence to fight wage theft without being labelled pro-government.
Workers said Chikosi’s message was clear in that ZCTU will talk to any party that fight to improve the working conditions of workers but that the labour body will be owned by none other than workers themselves.