The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is the umbrella body of all labour unions in Zimbabwe. These unions are referred to as affiliates. Affiliation is by application, subject to the General Council’s approval.

At the time of independence in 1980, there were as many as 6 national trade union centres, namely, the African Trade Union Congress (ATUC), the National African Trade Union Congress (NATUC), the Trade Union Congress of Zimbabwe (TUCZ), the United Trade Unions of Zimbabwe (UTUZ), the Zimbabwe Federation of Labour (ZFL) and the Zimbabwe Trade Union Congress (ZTUC). The first historic event after independence was the bringing together of the 52 existing unions to a Congress on February 28, 1981 where the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) was formed.