I.L.O. ASSEMBLY Ban on black delegate

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33254, 18 June 1973, Page 13

I.L.O. ASSEMBLY Ban on black delegate

(;H\K\ \. June 17

Trade union leaders representing more than 180 million workers through* out the world at a Geneva conference, yesterday called for an international boycott of South \frican goods, ships, and aircraft, and unanimously passed a resolution calling for a series of stern measures lo help lo eradicate South \frica’s apartheid system.

Miss Lucy Mvubleo. South Africa’s leading black trade unionist, was refused permission to address the conference after delegates had threatened to walk out if she did so.

I The conference chairman, Mr Joseph Morris, of Canad? told her that certain trade 'unionists had objected to her speaking, but he would not identify them, or give reasons. Those objecting, mainly from black African and Communist countries, did not want to hear her voicing ob-

[lections to the resolution. I' Miss Mvubleo. a leader of the South African Clothing Workers' Union, told Reuters later that she was verv disappointed that she had not been allowed to speak. "A boycott of South Afn--1 can goods, and the calls to

governments to stop publn and private investment in South Africa, will only harm {black workers.” she said. "It is easy for these people to pass resolutions — none of them has to live in South Africa. The hest way to tight apartheid is to organise black workers into trade unions, and this is gradually happening.” ‘lnhuman policy* The delegates, from nearly 200 trade union organisations, passed the resolution to which Miss Mvubleo objected at the end of a two-day conference supported by the United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid The [meeting was organised by the [workers’ group attending the annual assembly of the International Labour Organis'ation in Geneva. j The resolution called on governments to sever political, cultural, commercial, and [diplomatic reations with the i South African Government, and to stop public and private investment there. ! Trade union organisations (throughout the world were 'urged to press their governments to refuse to supply [arms, or any other form of i military assistance, and to I close their ports and airports to South African ships |and aircraft. [ The resolution condemned (“the inhuman policy of aparitheid pursued by the Government of the Republic of South I Africa, which is a crime ,against humanity, a flagrant 'violation of the United [Nations Charter, and, as such, 'a threat to world peace and I security.” ' It asked trade union bodies to organise, in co-operation with consumers’ associations, a boycott of goods imported from South Africa, and to boycott all sporting and cultural activities in which [.South Africans took part.