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(LUSAKATIMES) Caine Mweemba, FTJ back salary increaases

Caine Mweemba, FTJ back salary increaases
November 23, 2008

Ruling MMD founding member Caine Mweemba has welcomed the proposed increased salary for office bearers and senior government office holders saying the move was positive as it would help cushion inflationary trends in the country.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS on Sunday, Mr Mweemba said it was only a normal trend that whenever civil servants are awarded a salary increase, it should also affect all top government office bearers including the President.

He took a swipe at Patriotic Front leader Micheal Sata for his continued attacks of President Rupiah Banda over the salaries saying he should stop window dressing over the matter as even his Vice President Guy Scott has appended his signature.

He has urged President Banda to go ahead and append his signature to the revised bill for increased office bearers salaries.

However, he suggested to the president to also increase student allowances for the University of Zambia (UNZA) and

Second republican president Frederick Chiluba at his kabulonga residence
the Copperbelt University (CBU) before awarding the incressed salaries to the politicians.

President Rupiah Banda, when as Acting President refused to append his signature to parliamentary bill for increased salaries of the executive and parliamentarians and sent back the to the house for revision.

Ruling MMD MPs and some opposition members ruled in favour of the 15 percent salary, a development that has not been well received in sections of society.

However, Chief government spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha , during a press briefing on Saturday, advised Zambians to move away from the 15 percent salary increment for constitutional office bearers to allow government to look at the problems of the global economic crisis and its effects on the country.

And Second Republican President Frederick Chiluba also hailed the increase of salaries for office bearers saying it would help in their work.

Dr Chiluba told the media in an interview, Saturday, that government should however also increase civil servants’ salaries as well.

ZANIS/AH/ENDS/MM

Labels: CABINET, CAINE MWEEMBA, CHILUBA, SALARIES

posted by MrK @ 8:23 PM