GOM AGAIN CO-OPTS LABOR UNION; "APPOINTS" ILO

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000382

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
NAIROBI FOR REGIONAL LABOR OFFICER
GENEVA FOR ILO REP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PGOV EFIN KDEM MI
SUBJECT: GOM AGAIN CO-OPTS LABOR UNION; "APPOINTS" ILO
REPRESENTATIVE


1. (U) At Labor Day festivities on May 1, President Muluzi
appointed Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) President
Sunduzwayo Madise, who was recently convicted of corruption,
as Malawi's "representative" to the International Labor
Organization (ILO). Muluzi also donated MK 10 million (USD
95,000) to MCTU and instructed government to find a building
for the umbrella union to use, as it cannot afford its
current rent.


2. (U) While ostensibly supporting the principles of fair
labor practices, Muluzi said: "Unions are not enemies of the
government. When they get help from government, they should
not be seen as having been bought."

COMMENT
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3. (SBU) Apparently uninformed about ILO operations, Muluzi
appointed Madise as Malawi's "representative to the ILO," a
position which does not exist, rather than as Labor Attache
in Brussels, as Malawi has not had diplomatic representation
in Geneva since 1994. Opposition parties have condemned the
move, saying that with Malawi's current budgetary problems,
the government should be reducing the number of its
diplomatic missions. Muluzi has also been criticized for
making the eleventh hour appointment so close to the May 18
general elections when his term expires. Many perceive the
appointment as a payback for Madise keeping Malawi's largest
union quiescent.


4. (SBU) COMMENT CONTINUED: Muluzi's politically-motivated
appointment of the MCTU President and his "government help"
for the union, while clearly prompted by the approaching
elections, typify the GOM's interference in union activities.
The once robust labor movement, which played an influential
role in Malawi's 1994 transition to multi-party democracy,
has been crippled by internal disputes, much of which has
been inspired by meddling from the highest levels of
government. END COMMENT.

BIO NOTE: Sunduzwayo Madise
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5. (U) Madise was convicted on two counts of corruption in
November 2001 and was fined MK 50,000 (USD 500). He was
found guilty of accepting a USD 4,000 bribe from Global
African Football Incorporated (GAF) consultant Ian Riley to
award the television firm rights to air a Malawi-South Africa
World Cup soccer match. Madise also wrongfully allowed Riley
to pay hotel bills amounting to USD 400.


6. (SBU) Madise was elected MCTU President in January 2004
amid great controversy and calls for a re-vote. Madise's
position was further challenged in February 2004, when the
Ministry of Labor ordered Madise to leave the position
because Malawian law enjoins convicted criminals from holding
union offices. The matter has been referred to the courts,
and in the meantime Madise has been acting as the MCTU's
president.
BROWNING