APPENDIX 4
Memorandum from the Commonwealth Trade
Union Council
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 For 50 years, the trade unions in the
Commonwealth have interacted, supported one another, and built
a considerable solidarity network. The Commonwealth Trade Union
Council links trade union national centres, representing over
30 million trade union members, in 51 of the 54 countries. It
is a co-ordinating organisation providing educational support
for trade union activities in developing countries and seeks to
promote a democratic and prosperous Commonwealth in which international
labour standards are observed.
1.2 The CTUC shares the FCO's objective
to promote human rights in all countries and welcomes the opportunity
to submit a memorandum to the Foreign Affairs Committee inquiring
into the Human Rights Annual Report 2001.
2. THE COMMONWEALTH
2.1 We welcomed the establishment of the
High Level Review Group and submitted our views to the Group.
We share the FCO view that the remit of CMAG should be expanded
to cover situations where governments are acting in breach of
the Harare Declaration principles. In the past, when the Commonwealth
focus has been on high-profile countries such as Nigeria, Pakistan
and Fiji, human rights abuses have continued in many others without
attracting any attention at Commonwealth level. Swaziland is currently
escaping Commonwealth scrutiny when so much attention is rightly
focused on Zimbabwe.
2.2 We support the FCO view that there should
be greater co-operation between the official Commonwealth and
civil society in Commonwealth countries. Trade unionists have
a particular contribution to make in this regard. We look forward
to seeing the emphasis on the contribution of civil society translated
into meaningful opportunities for trade unionists to participate
in policy consultation at Commonwealth and national government
level.
2.3 We note that because of the postponement
of the 2001 CHOGM the draft report of the High Level Review Group
has been circulated to Commonwealth governments but has not been
circulated to those who made submissions. We believe that the
FCO could use the period leading to the postponed CHOGM in March
2002 to consult UK and Commonwealth organisations about the draft
report. This would strengthen the case for Commonwealth reform
and help to build a momentum for change at Commonwealth level.
3. PROMOTION
OF LABOUR
STANDARDS
3.1 Many countries have excellent legislation
on the statute books but do not enforce it. The majority of Commonwealth
countries are members of the International Labour Organisation
and are bound by membership to abide by ILO Fundamental Declaration
of Principles, whether or not they have ratified particular ILO
Conventions. We note and welcome the emphasis in the FCO Report
on slave labour and child labour. However, we would like to see
abuses of the other Core Labour Standards Conventions—on
freedom of association, collective bargaining and discrimination—highlighted
in the Report in future years.
4. COUNTRIES
GIVING RISE
TO PARTICULAR
CONCERN
4.1 Zimbabwe
We welcome the concern expressed about Zimbabwe
and note the mention of illegal action by war veterans against
foreign companies and NGOs. Trade unionists have also been attacked
by war veterans and the regime has attempted to destabilise the
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions by establishing a rival organisation,
the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions. Pressure has been put
on employers to pay union dues to this body instead of to the
legitimate ZCTU. We would like the UK's development programme
to provide material and practical assistance to civil society
groups in Zimbabwe and believe that UK and international NGOs,
such as the CTUC, can assist in targeting funds.
4.2 Swaziland
We cannot find any mention of Swaziland in the
Human Rights Annual Report. For some time we have been concerned
about repressive measures taken against the Swaziland Democratic
Alliance—a broad-based movement including trade unions,
professional bodies, churches and students. The recommendations
of the Swaziland Constitutional Review Commission, published recently,
include: children born to Swazi mothers whose fathers are not
Swazis should be treated as immigrants; there should be no bail;
Swazi citizens must refrain from denigrating the country by speaking
badly about it, inside or outside the country; political parties
must remain banned. We believe that only a concerted international
effort can stop the implementation of these measures and would
like the Foreign Affairs Committee to consider the human rights
situation in Swaziland.
Commonwealth Trade Union Council
29 November 2001
| 
