Maravi

‘It’s selfishness to tell workers to keep away from politics’

‘It’s selfishness to tell workers to keep away from politics’
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Mon 29 Mar. 2010, 04:00 CAT

FEDERATION of Free Trade Unions of Zambia FFTUZ national executive secretary Lyson Mando has said it is selfishness for politicians to tell workers to keep away from politics. And ZCTU president Leonard Hikaumba has called for unity of purpose among labour movements.

During a special workshop on capacity building skills of labour movements at Luangwa House in Chipata on Saturday, Mando said the labour movement must be seen to get involved in the governance of the country.

“You recall that we are being told by politicians that workers keep away from politics. That is selfishness isn’t it, because before independence, it is the workers that were in the forefront of fighting for independence. You recall the Lawrence Katilungus and others. When UNIP took over and when Zambians said enough is enough, it is again the labour movement that played the change in 1990/91,” Mando said.

“Even today we must be seen to get involved in the governance issues because labour matters are nothing but politics and if labour matters are nothing but politics, why should we have ZCTU on this side and FFTUZ on this side?”

And Hikaumba called for unity among the labour movements in the country.

He said the main objective of the labour unions was to safeguard and promote the interest of the workers.

“We have to be united as a labour movement because if we are not united, we shall not achieve what we want. Let us not be selfish by wanting to get things for ourselves without regards for the others,” he said.

Hikaumba urged the people who were in attendance to share with others what they would learn at the workshop for the unions to tick.

Zambia Water and Sanitation Engineering and Allied Workers Union vice -president Charles Phiri said a fragmented labour movement could not have more power in bargaining for workers.

He suggested that the unions should engage into serious talks about forming one labour movement in the country.

Labels: FFTUZ, LYSON MANDO, MMD

posted by MrK @ 2:56 AM