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Hikaumba calls for more dialogue between employers, employees

Hikaumba calls for more dialogue between employers, employees
By Masuzyo Chakwe, Mwila Chansa and Kelvin Tembo
Thursday May 01, 2008 [04:00]

ZAMBIA Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) president Leonard Hikaumba has called for more dialogue between employers and their employees.

And Dr Kenneth Kaunda has implored the Zambian workforce to continue being disciplined and hardworking. Meanwhile, Zambia Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers (ZUFIAW) president Cephas Mukuka has said the government is burdening workers with taxes. Commenting on the Labour Day, which falls today, Hikaumba noted that while workers had been making demands, employers were making excuses. Hikaumba said there was need for employers to look into the plight of workers seriously.

"... in our review for the preview year, the majority of workers are still complaining about low wages and poor working conditions.

Even workers' right to belong to unions is being violated. All they receive are threats and when they talk about improvement in their conditions of service, they are intimidated and threatened with dismissal," he said.

He said productivity in any company could only be high if employees were happy.

"We want this (dialogue) to happen so that the employer takes serious consideration the plight of the workers and both of us should look at how best we can address these issues affecting the workers," he said.

And Dr Kaunda said discipline was cardinal to the success of any country or workforce.

"There is need for discipline in all areas of our endeavor and workers are no exception. I must say I am quite impressed with the behaviour of the labour unions, they are quite impressive," Dr Kaunda said.

He said he was proud of the workers.
And Dr Kaunda said conditions of service would only improve if the economy improved.

"It is how our economy is built that will improve the conditions of service for workers. If we develop our economy well, salaries will be higher. Development in the mines will help us build our economy," said Dr Kaunda.

UPND vice-president Richard Kapita said it was sad that unemployment levels had continued to be high, especially among youths who were now roaming the streets.

He said employers had continued to abuse workers through slave wages and poor conditions of service.

"Casualisation is the order of the day," he remarked.
Kapita also appealed to the government to monitor the levels of labour compliance by employers.

He said although it was a major culprit in labour abuses, government should take a more proactive role to ensure that people get returns from their labour.

"It is therefore imperative that the country develops a cadre of motivated workers in all sectors. ... . We would also like to take this opportunity to appeal to government to widely consult all stakeholders before amending the Industrial and Labour Relations Act.

The UPND members of parliament will only support progressive amendments that protect and safeguard both the interests of the Zambian worker and employers that will support economic development of the country," said Kapita.

Clement Kasongo, a civil servant from Kasama, said of all employees in the country, civil servants were the worst treated.

Labels: LABOUR, LEONARD HIKAUMBA, ZCTU

posted by MrK @ 5:57 AM