10. Zimbabwe and international labour standards: Consideration by the ILO supervisory bodies 194. Zimbabwe’s observance of Conventions Nos 87 and 98 has been examined by both the general and special ILO supervisory mechanisms. The Committee on Freedom of Association has examined nine complaints from workers’ organizations, and the Committee of Experts has examined the legislative aspects of Zimbabwe’s observance of both Conventions since their ratification. 117 I. Committee on Freedom of Association 195. The first complaint against Zimbabwe was filed in 1996. The ICFTU filed a complaint alleging that police violently broke up a peaceful demonstration (Case No. 1909). The complainant alleged that 100 workers who had gathered in solidarity with striking nurses and doctors had been attacked by 50 police officers firing tear gas and using clubs to beat those who tried to leave. The police allegedly arrested Mr Morgan Tsvangirai (ZCTU Secretary General) and Mr Isaac Matongo (ZCTU Vice-President) and questioned them at the police station. The complainants commented upon a general failure in social dialogue and unrest in the public sector throughout 1996, epitomized by the unilateral dismissal of 1,000 doctors and nurses in the face of grievances, leading to a three-week health sector strike. 196. The Government categorically denied violence on the part of the police, and emphasized the constitutional guarantee of freedom of association in Zimbabwe. It stated that no court cases had been based on these allegations, nor were there any medical reports of injuries. The Government stated that when a group of people had attempted to enter the court that was hearing the case concerning the strike by doctors and nurses, the situation had become violent. As a result, after appropriate warnings, the police had used tear gas to disperse the crowd and restore order without assaulting anyone. While no one had been arrested, two ZCTU officials had been questioned at the police station about an intended general strike. Finally, the Government stated that, as doctors and nurses were considered to work in essential services in Zimbabwe, their strike was accordingly illegal. 197. In the context of the contradictory statements, the Committee insisted upon the principles concerning the right to peaceful demonstration and urged that trade unionists not be questioned in police detention in the future. 118 198. In the following year, 1997, a case was brought by the International Federation of Commercial, Clerical, Professional and Technical Employees in relation to a strike by employees of the Standard Chartered Bank (Case No. 1937). 119 The complainants argued that the employers had obtained a disposal order from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Welfare decreeing that striking workers return to work and authorizing the bank to take 117 The comments of the Committee of Experts were further considered by the Conference Committee on the Application of Standards a number of times: in relation to Convention No. 98 in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005; and in relation to Convention No. 87 in 2006, 2007 and 2008. 118 307th Report of the Committee on Freedom of Association, Case No. 1909, ILO, Official Bulletin, Vol. LXXX, 1997, Series B, No. 2, paras 489–495. 119 309th Report of the Committee on Freedom of Association, Case No. 1937, ILO, Official Bulletin, Vol. LXXXI, 1998, Series B, No. 1, paras 421–452 (followed up 28 times). Meetings-2009-Zimbabwe C of I-2009-12-0035-3-En.doc/v3 59