HARARE – The visiting president of the Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB) Michael Sommer has said he is “deeply concerned” by the Zimbabwean government’s disregard for workers' and human rights.

“I'm deeply concerned that the situation has shown significant deterioration over the past few weeks,” Sommer told journalists at the weekend as he wound up his four-day visit to Zimbabwe.

He said he told Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai – a former trade unionist – to ensure that Harare respects trade unionism.

Sommer's remarks come in light of the reports that General Agriculture and Plantation Workers’ Union of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ) leader Gertrude Hambira had fled the country as police wanted to arrest her for releasing a video showing how President Robert Mugabe’s supporters committed rights abuses and other crimes against farm workers.

"This is unacceptable. Freedom of association and trade union action are basic rights which must be respected by every decent society," said Sommer who is also the vice president of the International Trade Union.

"There are still (some) challenges. We'll continue to monitor the situation closely of trade unions in Zimbabwe and show practical solidarity where we deem necessary."

He said the International Labour Organisation (ILO) would later this month discuss Zimbabwe's situation.

Addressing the same press conference German ambassador to Zimbabwe Albrecht Conze said the West was committed to assist the poverty stricken country if human rights situation improved.

"I hope positive signals will prevail over the negative signals. Unfortunately, that is not the situation at the moment. Investment from Germany to Zimbabwe will grow bigger and faster, the faster the great news the better. But I'm afraid that is not the case now," said Conze.

He added that the new law which requires foreign investors in Zimbabwe to surrender majority in their businesses to locals had “scared” German businesses.

"News that there are indications to revise the regulations is something that encourages us. Otherwise, if they remain German investment will go elsewhere," he added.

The regulations that came into effect last Monday give foreign-owned companies 45 days to submit proposals to the Indigenisation Ministry on how they plan to bring on board locals to take 51 percent of their businesses over the next 5 years.

The rules have been a source of controversy and besides dividing the unity government along party lines, they have rattled foreign investors who analysts say may continue to stay away from the country.

The coalition government of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Mugabe has been struggling to win donor support from the West, who want the government to implement irreversible economic and political reforms.

Critics fear Mugabe’s ZANU PF wants to press ahead with transferring majority ownership of foreign-owned companies as part of a drive to reward party loyalists with thriving businesses.

Analysts say the empowerment programme could see Zimbabwe being shunned by investors again who fear a repeat of the land seizures, at a time the new government is out to attract to grow an economy that was in decline for ten years. – ZimOnline