Trade unions banned from Zimbabwe

The government has effectively banned affiliates of Zimbabwe’s main union federation from visiting the country, trade unionists said after two more South African labour leaders were deported.

Two representatives of the Southern Africa Trade Union Co-ordination Council arrived at Harare international airport yesterday, but were sent home on the next flight to Johannesburg.

The visiting officials had planned to help set up a trade union school, but were told they needed clearance from the Ministry of Labour to enter Zimbabwe, said Wellington Chibebe, secretary general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions.