NZCTU MEDIA RELEASE
16 March 2007

CTU Condemns Actions of Zimbabwe Forces In Trade Union HQ Raid

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions has joined the international union movement and other Non Government Organisations in condemnation of the treatment of worker representatives and democracy campaigners in Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwe Trade Union Congress offices were raided on Tuesday by government security forces, ruining any chance of the tripartite dialogue planned for this week aimed at resolving the economic and social crisis, the International Trade Union Confederation reported.

"This latest attack by President Mugabe's security forces on organised workers and the detention and assaults of opposition leaders in the MDC are unacceptable breaches of human rights. Unions internationally are deeply concerned about the crisis in Zimbabwe,” CTU president Ross Wilson said.

“We call on the international community to intensify efforts to ensure the Mugabe Government ends these abuses of workers’ and human rights,” he said.

ENDS