The government which is struggling to meet its financial obligations has been criticised for sending a bloated delegation to the 106th International Labour Organisation (ILO) conference in Geneva, Switzerland scheduled for next week. Zimbabwe will be sending 30 delegates, a number which has been criticised for being unnecessarily high, especially when compared with countries whose economies are performing much better than Zimbabwe’s. For example, South Africa will be sending seven people, Malawi fifteen and New Zealand nine.
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions secretary general, Japhet Moyo, told the Financial Gazette:
They (government) are not respecting the ILO regulations on sponsorship of conference delegates. Only one delegate from labour and business will receive sponsorship and the rest will be funding themselves, yet there are people being funded by government to Geneva who are not going to be participating in any committee.Countries which respect workers’ rights have no need to bring such a huge delegation because they have nothing to defend. This could only be avoided by respecting labour rights. However, the government officials who made the decision to send thirty people took advantage of the trip to award themselves of extra income.
The government may spend at least US$300 000 in airfares, accommodation and travel allowances for the 30 man delegation.
More: Financial Gazette