Published: 1 hour ago

Zimbabwe has been placed on the International Trade Union Confederation's (ITUC) workers' rights watch list after the global labour body reported a deterioration in labour rights and increased violations against trade unionists.

The classification appears in the 13th edition of the ITUC Global Rights Index, an annual survey that measures violations of workers' rights around the world.

The watch list represents the second tier of countries of concern, sitting below the category of the world's worst violators of workers' rights. Countries listed among the most severe offenders in the 2026 report include Argentina, Belarus, Ecuador, Egypt, Eswatini, Myanmar, Nigeria, Panama, Tunisia and Türkiye.

Zimbabwe was placed on the watch list alongside Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Liberia, Moldova, the Philippines and the United States, with the ITUC citing a measurable increase in labour rights violations and a continued decline in protections for workers and trade unions.

According to the report, arbitrary arrests and detentions of trade unionists were recorded in Zimbabwe, as well as in Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"Zimbabwe has ranked in the fifth tier – no guarantee of rights – since the Index began in 2014. The ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) is seeking to delay the 2028 elections by increasing presidential and parliamentary term limits. As workers and unions face continued State harassment and repression, Zimbabwe's rating is at further risk," the report said.

The ITUC also alleged that authorities have used legal and regulatory measures to suppress collective action and dissent, including through the application of digital surveillance laws.

The report noted that leaders of trade unions in the education sector were arrested during strikes and demonstrations over wages and working conditions.

It further highlighted concerns over legislative changes introduced in 2025, which it said allow government ministers to classify advocacy-based unions as "political" or "high risk", potentially exposing them to deregistration and loss of access to international funding.

The Global Rights Index ranks countries on a scale ranging from one to five-plus, based on their compliance with collective labour rights.

A rating of one represents the highest level of protection for workers' rights, while a rating of five-plus denotes the worst conditions.

Countries classified in category five are considered among the most difficult places in the world for workers, where legal protections may exist on paper but are largely inaccessible in practice due to repression, weak enforcement or restrictions on labour organising.

Zimbabwe remains in the fifth tier, indicating what the ITUC describes as a lack of effective guarantees for workers' rights.

In contrast, neighbouring Botswana recorded an improvement in its rating following labour and governance reforms introduced by the country's new administration.

The latest report is expected to reignite debate over labour rights, freedom of association and the operating environment for trade unions in Zimbabwe, where workers' organisations have long complained about restrictions on collective bargaining, industrial action and labour activism.
- newzimbabwe