N_ behalf of five million nonmanual workers, grouped within the International Federation of Commercial, Clerical and Technical Employees, the organisation’s general secretary Erich Kissel has called upon the Prime Minister of Rhodesia, Mr. Ian Smith, to secure the immediate release of Edward Watunga, General Secretary of the Rhodesian Commercial Workers’ Union. As long ago as 14th September, 1964, after learning that Watunga had been arrested on 31st August, 1964, together with eight other trade union leaders, Kissel had cabled a protest
at his unwarranted detention.
In his latest letter to Ian Smith,
Kissel underlined that Watunga has
been a devoted and active trade
unionist working tirelessly on behalf
of his African colleagues in an effort
to raise their standard of living and
that he has provided an outstanding
example to them of how a trade union
and its leaders, through hard work
and devotion, works democratically
and effectively on their behalf. Kissel
has also written to U Thant, Secre-
tary-General of the United Nations,
and to Mr, Harold Wilson, Prime
Minister of Great Britain.