(ILO) rap for human rights violations
7 June 2007
At least four African States are lined up to account for failure to apply
ratified ILO conventions at the 96th session of the International Labour
Conference currently underway in Geneva.
The International Labour Conference (ILC) will also look at a number of
conventions which include freedom of association and the protection of the
right to organise, the right to collective bargaining, forced or compulsory
labour and discrimination at the workplace. South Africa initially featured in
the list. But the leader of the government delegation Les Kettledas said this
is no longer the case.
"South Africa was wrongly listed. The ILO office initially called for the
obligatory report on issues of labour, and we submitted this on time. They have
now removed us from the list," he said. Zimbabwe will also appear over
allegations of denying workers the freedom of association. The leader of the
Zimbabwean delegation has called on African delegates to support the country in
the Committee for application of standards.
"The listing of Zimbabwe is an annual event, and the issues tend to be
political. Clearly this is a political agenda," he said. However, a delegate,
Tunisia, objected to the call for support. "Africa Group should not support
countries that have violated conventions they have actually ratified."
Meanwhile Ethiopia is facing allegations regarding the violation of teachers'
trade union rights.
The ILC continues until Friday, 15 June 2007.
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Tel: 082 906 3878
E-mail: zolisa.sigabi@labour.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Labour
7 June 2007
Source: Department of Labour (http://www.labour.gov.za)
