AFRICAN TRADE UNIONISTS VISIT REGION

As part of a visit to Britain Vemi Zinyama of ZCTU (Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions) and

Victor Dlamini General Secretary of NAPSAWU (Swazi Public sector Workers) made a brief visit to the Regional Office.

As well as recieving an update on the political situation in both countries, informal discussion took place on building links between our organisations. It was agreed that the first step in this would be to invite both organisations back to the region for a longer and more focused visit to the region .It is hoped to involve the Midlands TUC in this.

Of particular interest to Vemi was capacity building of of women trade unionists , it was particularly interesting to hear that the DIgnity campaign (which this union had supported) had resulted in a rise in womens active involvement in the trade unions in Zimbabwe. Women who had been significantly involved in the logistics of the campaign saw the value and role of trade unions.

Both also expressed an interest in learning more about UNISONs approach to activist training and development.