Violation of rights, interests of workers and retirees

Violation of rights, interests of workers and retirees
By The Post
Fri 16 Nov. 2012, 14:00 CAT

Fackson Shamenda, the Minister of Labour and a former trade union leader, acknowledges the violations of the rights and interests of workers and retirees. And he has attributed this to "a lot of factors".

Fackson says the government has identified issues of concern regarding the country's labour laws and has pointed out a number of reforms that the government is undertaking or is planning to undertake relating "to declining and poor conditions of service for many Zambian workers, widespread casualisation of labour, unsafe workplaces, unrealistic and inadequate retirement packages which are often not in harmony with the cost of living and failure to pay pensioners and retirees their benefits on time".

Fackson has promised that the government is undertaking "a comprehensive review and amendment of current labour-related legislation; rationalise the administration of the ministry to effectively carry out its inspectorate function so as to promote the welfare of workers in workplaces; domesticate and implement international labour standards that Zambia is a signatory to".
But the government, as an employer and the largest employer in the country for that matter, is one of the leading violators of the rights and interests of workers, pensioners and retirees.

But while we welcome the good pronouncements being made by our Minister of Labour, we feel there is need to remind the government that it cannot call other employers to virtues, to respecting the rights and interests of workers, pensioners and retirees which it does not itself make an effort to respect, to observe, to practice and promote.

The government has to show leadership in the struggle to improve the conditions of workers and the respect of workers, pensioners and retirees' rights and interests. The government is doing very badly in terms of paying pensioners and retirees their dues. Politicians get their gratuities even before their term of office is over. Parliamentarians are always getting paid their mid-term gratuities. And before Parliament dissolves, all their dues are paid to them.

And all other politicians get their dues and other benefits long before their terms of office come to an end. But this is not so with the workers. There are many government workers who have been waiting to get their retirement benefits for many years and some have died long before getting paid. It seems the political leadership of this country thinks of itself first and the people they are elected to serve thereafter or as an after-thought.

It seems payments to the political leadership of this country take precedence over payments to government workers.
This being the case, how can government effectively and efficiently lead the struggle for the improvement of workers' conditions?

We ask our leaders to be exemplary in their daily lives. And the appeal for fair and just treatment of workers should be heard in government. Justice begins at home, and the government itself, together with the political leadership of this country, must be the first to give witness.

Employees have a strict duty to give their employers efficient and conscientious work for which they have a right to a just salary or wage. Work provides an opportunity for each of us to show that we are images of God. Why is this so? This is so because God is Creator and we, every woman and man, show forth God's image when we continue creation through our work, our labour, our engagement in shaping the future of our country. The dignity of work must be recognised with just wages and safe conditions.

Every employer should ask himself or herself the question: do I pay proper wages? And every employee should equally ask himself or herself the question: do I work conscientiously? Every citizen of this country should ask himself or herself the question: do I promote just employment policies?

Every employer, including the government, should give employees an honest salary or wage and then ask them for more substantial support.
We should condemn all forms of employment that place profit before persons and are based on the exploitation of one by another.

Of course, we cannot pretend that everything is as it should be in our country. There are times of great difficulties which often demand austerity measures to be put in place. But the austerity required in such times needs to be equally shared among all.

The rights of workers, like all rights, are based on the nature of the human person and on his or her transcendent dignity. Among these rights are: a just wage; a working environment not harmful to the workers' physical health or their moral integrity; social security, and the right to assemble and form associations. And therefore, trade unions which enable workers to improve their conditions should be valued and promoted by everybody in society.

We are reminded in Matt 20:4: "Go to my vineyard and I will give you a fair wage." Remuneration for work should guarantee people a dignified livelihood for themselves and their families.

Government should therefore regulate industries and commerce to protect workers' rights and to curb exploitation. By means of work and making use of intelligence, people should be able to make the earth a fitting home - "... come to me, all you who labour and are over-burdened, I will give you rest" (Matt 11:28).

A society's wellbeing depends on efforts to ensure that no member feels excluded from the mainstream of society. This requires that all groups, but particularly the most vulnerable, have opportunities to improve their lives. Access to dignified employment is one sure way of ensuring the inclusion of everyone in the life of society. Zambia has been enjoying economic growth but the poverty levels have not adequately reduced as a result. The creation of dignified employment is crucial to ensuring the reduction of poverty in the face of economic growth.

By means of work and making use of the gift of intelligence, people are able to exercise dominion over the earth and make it a fitting home - "your work will provide for your needs; you will be happy and prosperous" (Ps 128:2).

Clearly, work is at the centre of the social question, the key to making life more humane. And it is pleasing to see the government increasingly taking a pro-worker stance and committing itself to justice for workers and wanting to be a government of the poor.

People have the right to the fruits of their labour, but should use them to benefit all - "work with your hands and be dependent on nobody as we charged you" (1Thess 4:11).

We are all called to use our talents through our work in order to build up the good of our society. The effect of having no quality jobs, high unemployment is degrading and making quality work available is most important. And each worker is called to learn their trade well and practice it with care; the sanctification of work consists in this.

But we should always bear in mind that people's work concerns not only the economy but also, and especially, personal values. Work is rooted in respect for human dignity. It is done by a collection of individuals who have chosen to come together and to unite their minds, wills and hearts for the common good. And as such, every effort should be made that the enterprise becomes a community of persons.

If our country is to move forward, honest and hard work is demanded of all of us - "by the sweat of our face, you shall eat bread" (Gen 3:19).
Clearly, the priority of work over capital places an obligation in justice upon employers to consider the welfare of their workers before the increase of profits.

The socioeconomic problems that occur today cannot be solved unless new fronts of solidarity are created: solidarity of the poor among themselves, solidarity with the poor to which the rich are called, solidarity among the workers, and with the workers. Institutions and social organisations at different levels, as well as the state, must share in a general movement of solidarity.

There will be opposition from capital to these initiatives that the government is taking to protect the rights of workers and improve their conditions. But what needs to be done should be done in spite of the opposition that may be faced. The economy should be for the benefit of all the people.