Maravi

SESTUZ chairman calls for countrywide strike

SESTUZ chairman calls for countrywide strike
Written by Edwin Mbulo, Charles Mangwato and Zumani Katasefa
Sunday, May 31, 2009 4:04:15 PM

SOUTHERN Province Secondary Schools Teachers Union of Zambia (SESTUZ) chairman Collins Malambo has called for a nationwide strike demanding improved conditions of service and 25 per cent salary increment.

In Choma, public service workers in Choma have resolved to go on strike tomorrow, to press the government to conclude long-awaited salary negotiations.

And in Mpongwe, pupils at Mpongwe Secondary School on Wednesday night protested and camped at the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) office to show displeasure over the work stoppage by their teachers.

Addressing teachers, nurses and civil servants who gathered at Victoria Hall in Livingstone in a protest dubbed 'national mourning,' Malambo said that some government workers who were opposed to the workers' strike merely wanted to protect their jobs.

"All we are saying is that we want better living wages. When I started going to school, teachers were well dressed, but now look at me dressed in a t-shirt. Even flying is luxury while some workers who just sit to sign vouchers fly out to buy clothes and even change wives like they are buying shirts," he said.

Malambo said he had been informed that even police officers were in support of the nation-wide strike but could not join due to the nature of their work.

"I appeal to all the workers who have not joined the strike to please join us. Don't fear because you have my unwavering support and you shall not be intimidated. If politicians want to intimidate you, let them come to me I'm ready to be arrested. This strike is for all government workers and we shall be on strike until government gives in. Don't listen to some politicians who just want to protect their jobs because the President himself is quiet because he is till studying the issue. In Monze we told the DC to just shut," he said.

Malambo told the over 500 workers that this was there golden chance to get what was due to them.

"Anything can happen anytime. Even me I can die as I go back to Monze and my children will have to join the long queues of dependants who want to be paid what I suffered for. Let us not take leaders as God given. We have just given them a chance. And please know that this government has no intentions of even dismissing you because that is why they are silent. Don't listen to overzealous politicians who just want to make political capital out of our needs. Leaders are not above us, we put tachem in power," said Malambo.

In Choma, public service workers resolved to go on strike tomorrow.

This is according to a joint statement released to ZANIS by Civil Servants and Allied Workers' Union of Zambia branch Secretary, Peter Phiri and National Union of Public Service Workers branch chairperson Macford Chiboola.

The two union leaders said their members had noted with regret at the way the government had been using delaying tactics in the ongoing negotiations for improved salaries and conditions of service.

The civil servants are demanding not less than K 450,000 across the board as salary increment while not less than K400,000 as housing allowance, adding that all outstanding housing allowance arrears must be cleared not later than June 30, 2009.

In Mpongwe, pupils demonstrated against the teachers' strike action.

Mpongwe DEBS Lita Muzenge confirmed the development in an interview saying that the pupils were complaining about the prolonged strike by teachers in the area.

"Yes there was a protest. They (pupils) were complaining about the teachers' strike," said Muzenge.

Muzenge said the situation had now returned to normal but said teachers had continued with the strike.

Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) Mpongwe district chairman Penias Kalala also confirmed the protest by pupils.

Kalala said teachers in the area had vowed not to report for work until the government addressed their demands.

Teachers in Mpongwe, Kitwe, Luanshya, Kalulushi and Masaiti districts downed tools almost a fortnight ago demanding fixed band allowance and a salary increment of not less than 25 per cent among other things.

Labels: COLLINS MALAMBO, DEBS, SESTUZ, STUDENTS

posted by MrK @ 3:07 PM