Desist from corruption, Hikaumba advises public service workers

Desist from corruption, Hikaumba advises public service workers
By Mwila Chansa
Tuesday June 24, 2008 [04:00]

ZAMBIA Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Leonard Hikaumba has advised members to desist from engaging in theft or corrupt activities as the union will not shield those found wanting. And Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Joshua Kanganja said the government cannot spend all its money paying civil servants' salaries, as they have to strike a balance between salaries and service provision.

During the Africa Public Service Day held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka that was commemorated for the first time in Zambia yesterday, Hikaumba said public workers should not leave any room to be condemned.

"Let us do what is expected of us so that there are no excuses. Desist from theft and corruption; we know we are there to defend our members but we won't condone these vices," Hikaumba said.

"We shall not be there to protect you when you deliberately steal from the government. We do not approve of corruption; we will only defend you if you are a victim of circumstance."

Hikaumba, amid shouts of approval from the audience, also urged workers not to succumb to being used by politicians who only wanted to serve their interests
"Let us insulate ourselves from political manipulation, let us not be used," he said.
Hikaumba urged public service workers to redeem themselves in view of the increased trend by the government to subcontract the very jobs that were supposed to be performed by public service workers.

He said failure to do so would make it difficult for public workers to justify their relevance.

"Some few years back, there had been calls to commercialise some government departments, so being efficient, for us means protecting our jobs because no one will call for commercialisation or reduction of staff," said Hikaumba.
He said as workers, they were ready to fulfill their part and it was up to the government to also do their part.

Hikaumba said there was no way the government could expect workers to report for work on time when no transport allowance or logistical support were offered to them.
Hikaumba also urged the public to advise, support and offer alternatives to the public service to help it in its quest to be efficient.
And Dr Kanganja said those who felt that the public service was not for them should exit and look for greener pastures so that only those who were interested in serving Zambia remained.

He said it was government's desire to pay decent wages but that it could not move faster than the economic performance.
"It is not only workers who need pay rise, we all need it," he said.
Dr Kanganja said the government was facing terrible problems in negotiating with the numerous workers' unions.

Dr Kanganja said although the law allowed people to belong to any union, employers felt that it was better to negotiate with one union.

And United Nations Information Centre, information officer Mickie Mumba, who represented United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) outgoing country representative Aeneas Chuma, said a transparent public service was cardinal in achieving internationally-agreed goals such as Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).