Maravi

‘Casualisation will now be punishable by imprisonment’

‘Casualisation will now be punishable by imprisonment’
By Mwala Kalaluka
Thu 04 Mar. 2010, 03:20 CAT

THE casualisation of Zambian labour will now be punishable by imprisonment according to suggestions from the ongoing Tripartite Labour Council, labour deputy minister Simon Kachimba has said.

And local government minister Dr Eustackio Kazonga said if the Zambia National Marketeers Association (ZANAMA) in Kitwe has been involved in killings, the matter should be reported to the relevant authorities.

Kachimba made the revelation in Parliament on Tuesday when he was responding to follow-up questions on the number of Shoprite outlets and employees countrywide.

Kachimba said there were 19 Shoprite outlets and eight Hungry Lion outlets, with 1,224 permanent employees and 1,090 casuals.

Posing the question, Roan PF member of parliament Chishimba Kambwili asked Kachimba if he was aware that three-quarters of Shoprite employees were actually casuals who had worked for three years in that capacity.

But Kachimba said he was not aware of that but that the Ministry of Labour had engaged Shoprite management from South Africa on the issues of improving employee welfare.

However, Mpika PF member of parliament Mwansa Kapeya wondered if it was normal for people to work for three years as casuals.

“It is not normal and that is why as the Ministry of Labour we have stopped casualisation,” Kachimba replied.

Kantanshi PF member of parliament Mukanga Yamfwa asked Kachimba what the government was doing to ensure that Shoprite workers get a decent wage other than the K72,000 they got per week.

“As of now we are holding what we call the Tripartite Labour Council, where we are reviewing the minimum wage. By the end of this week we are going to know the minimum wage,” Kachimba said.

Kabwata PF member of parliament Given Lubinda asked why the government was not punishing those that were involved in casualisation of labour as opposed to sensitising them all the time.

“That’s a very right question,” Kachimba said. “The punishment is quite stiff. There will be an article where you will be imprisoned as soon as we finalise this (Tripartite Labour Council).”

And responding to a question from Chimwemwe PF member of parliament Willie Nsanda on why the government had given ZANAMA a leeway to kill people at Chisokone Market, Kazonga said the government was one of laws.

“If it is true that happened, appropriate action will be taken by the relevant organs,” Kazonga said. “

Kazonga said the presidential directive that title deeds should be given to ZANAMA at Chisokone Market would be implemented within the confines of the market and bus stations Act.

Labels: CASUALISATION, LABOUR

posted by MrK @ 7:40 PM