Part III. Historical and legal context 73. For several years before the presentation of the complaint under article 26 of the ILO Constitution, questions concerning freedom of association and collective bargaining rights in Zimbabwe had been under examination by the Committee on Freedom of Association. In addition, the Committee of Experts had examined the Government’s reports under article 22 of the ILO Constitution on the application of Conventions Nos 87 and 98 and the Conference Committee on the Application of Standards had discussed the application of these standards in the country. The Governing Body decided to refer the examination of the case as a whole to the present Commission of Inquiry. 74. Accordingly, the following chapters take into account all the information presented previously to the Committee on Freedom of Association and included in the reports submitted by the Government on the application of Conventions Nos 87 and 98 pursuant to article 22 of the ILO Constitution. 75. For that reason, before starting the analysis of the case itself, the Commission briefly describes the historical and socio-economic context of freedom of association and collective bargaining in Zimbabwe, surveys the relevant legislation in Zimbabwe, and details the matters that have already been reviewed by the ILO supervisory bodies on the basis of the information that was made available to them. Meetings-2009-Zimbabwe C of I-2009-12-0035-3-En.doc/v3 29