'Weak labour ministry can't tackle youth unemployment'
By Mwala Kalaluka in Geneva, Switzerland
Sun 10 June 2012, 12:59 CAT
PRESIDENT Sata says youth unemployment cannot be tackled with a weak labour ministry. In a statement delivered to a Tripartite African Group meeting held at the Palaise Des Nations in Geneva on Friday on the sidelines of the International Labour Conference, President Sata said there was need for strong ministries of labour in Africa.
"You cannot tackle youth unemployment, social protection and rights at work if the labour ministry is weak. This is what I talked about during my election campaign last year," he said.
President Sata said Africa needed the comradeship of the International Labour Organisation as she walked along the development path.
He said he was impressed with the progress recorded by the various committees during the deliberations at the conference.
"We are here because we believe in the principles and values of tripartism, social dialogue, and social justice. The three partners comprising governments, workers and employers have to work together to realise social justice," he said. "How significant is our engagement with the ILO?"
President Sata said the ILO provides expert advice as Africa deals with the many challenges it faces in the world of work.
"The second point I want to talk about is the need to strengthen the African Union," he said. "I strongly feel that as a family, Africa needs to stand together and move together as we tackle various issues - be they climate change, trade and indeed labour relations."
President Sata said there was need for a strong and clear position from the various regional groups on the continent on labour matters.
"From there, we need a harmonised voice through the African Union. We are stronger when we come to Geneva with a united African position on issues. Therefore, the roles of the African Union, Labour and Social Affairs Commission and the African Group here need to be enhanced," President Sata said.
"The third point I cannot avoid is the hot issue of the 1986 Instrument of Amendment to the ILO Constitution.
"As Africa, we have been strongly advocating for the ILO constitution to be amended so that things such as the composition of the governing body, voting procedures during the labour conference and others can be changed."
He said since the instrument of amendment to the constitution was discussed in 1986, the two-thirds ratification threshold requirement by member states, including five of the ten permanent industrialised countries, had not been attained.
"I have hope that this can be achieved. I therefore, urge African countries that have not ratified this instrument to do so. Once we have all ratified, the task might be easier. We will then target to get three more industrialised countries to ratify," President Sata said.
"I would like to talk about the role of ministries of labour on our continent. For all the things you have discussed during the conference to be achieved, we need strong ministries of labour. You cannot tackle youth unemployment, social protection and rights at work if the labour ministry is weak. This is what I talked about during my election campaign last year."
And delegates to an international labour conference in Geneva overwhelmingly applauded President Sata's appointment of women in key decision-making positions while the International Labour Organisation lauded his acute sense of humour.
And outgoing International Labour Organisation director-general Juan Somavia says President Sata's journey to the Presidency is marked with impressive milestones and in particular persistence and courage through very difficult and complex moments.
In a 30-minute address to a special session of the 101st International Labour Conference at the United Nations offices in Geneva on Friday afternoon, President Sata, who meshed his speech with light moments which were rewarded with applause and laughter, said the PF government will stay truthful to its election promises by upholding principles of good political governance.
"Mr President for your information, for many years, for the past 50 years since Zambia became independent, we have neglected our womenfolk, but you will be interested to note that this PF government has more women in prominent positions," he said.
President Sata's remark was followed by a close to a minute applause when he outlined that Inspector General of Police, Anti-Corruption Commission director-general, Drug Enforcement Commissioner, commanding officers of divisions were women, including two members of his delegation who were female permanent secretaries.
President Sata, who pledged to continue appointing women to key positions in government, commended Somavia's commitment and passion for promoting the ILO decent work agenda across member states.
"I would also like to take this opportunity on behalf of the people of Zambia and the first lady to congratulate Mr. Guy Ryder on his election. By coincidence my Vice-President is Guy, but not Ryder, but Scott," President Sata said. "Guy Ryder is a household name to our tripartite family. He is well known to us."
He said what he sees in Zambians' lives now and from his 10 years as an opposition leader was that the good economic statistics that were being boasted about did not reflect in the people's lives.
"The young people who had registered en masse to vote had no jobs, taxes were high but public entities were delivering poor services," President Sata said.
"The Zambian people overwhelmingly gave us their vote. The young people played a determining role in putting us in office."
He pledged to stay truthful to his election promises, especially through the avoidance of waste and fighting corruption as priority areas and he further thanked Dr Kaseba for surviving the campaign period's daily provocations.
"For trade to have real impact in terms of economic benefits, it must be accompanied by measures targeted at enhancing productivity, job creation, value additi
on, respect of labour standards and diversification," President Sata said. "Zambia, therefore, looks forward to an integration process that will lift millions of our people from poverty."
He said enhancing dialogue with key partners was crucial to getting the right policies in place.
"We believe that the youths, women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups have to be given a voice in important fora," said President Sata. "Our women have suffered a setback. In elections they vote en masse. They vote more than men."
And Somavia said in his welcoming speech that a President with such an acute sense of humour on almost every subject that one touched, as was the case with President Sata, was rare.
"Let me say on a personal note that we have just had lunch with the President and I have rarely seen a President with such an acute sense of humour on almost every subject that you touch," Somavia said.
"So let me say that you have left a great impression on me as a person, as a human being, that you have been able to transform pronunciations into something that is light and profound at the same time."
He said President Sata had greatly contributed to Zambia's democratisation process, even to a point of being arrested for political reasons.
"In your capacity as a former minister of labour, I also want to say 'welcome home,'" Somavia said.
"Your journey to the Presidency is marked with impressive milestones. But in particular, persistence courage, having been arrested on several occasions for political reasons. You played a key role in the democratisation process of Zambia."
He said Zambians acknowledged his achievements when they elected President Sata as their leader last September.
"You responded to their trust, shaping a people-centered development agenda, guided by a vision of inclusive development. It is driven by the conviction, that, and I quote, 'the recently pronounced economic growth…is meaningless if it does not make noticeable impact on poverty reduction among our people especially the youth,'" Somavia said. "We salute your determination to address the issue of youth employment."
He said with solid partnerships such as the one ILO enjoys with the Zambian government, the pace to pursue decent work goals would go far.
"In February this year, your national football team was proof of the Zambian proverb which says: 'When you run alone you run fast, when you run together, you run fast.' They ran together. They got very far, all the way to the African Cup. Congratulations," said Somavia amidst applause.
Labels: ILO, MICHAEL SATA, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY, UNEMPLOYMENT
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MUZ demands stand-alone labour ministry
By Mwila Chansa-Ntambi in Kitwe
Tue 21 Feb. 2012, 11:59 CAT
THE Mineworkers Union of Zambia has demanded the immediate re-instatement of the Ministry of Labour as a stand-alone ministry. And MUZ is expected to elect a new president in the next three months.
During a media briefing at Katilungu House in Kitwe yesterday, MUZ general secretary Nkole Chishimba observed that the Ministry of Labour had always been such a major portfolio that it could not be relegated to the basement of another ministry.
"We think labour has been merely relegated to a mere tentacle of another ministry which by any standard can't measure up to any relevance or interlink to warrant the combination," Chishimba said.
"There is no amount of words that will convince us as a union that there was something wrong with the arrangement of Ministry of Labour and Social Security."
Chishimba added that just when stakeholders started getting to terms with the ministry of labour, youth and sport, another strange change in the name of ministry of information, broadcasting and labour had yet again come in to unsettle all players, including technocrats and staff.
He wondered when stakeholders would focus and concentrate on tackling the challenges at labour when they were not even certain of where they were going to be tomorrow.
Chishimba added that the majority of MUZ members invested their hope in the Patriotic Front because they thought labour was going to receive better attention.
"On their behalf, I wish to state that our role did not end at casting the winning ballot but beyond that to continue keeping our politicians in check so that value is added to our democracy and also to guarantee strength, growth and development of labour," said Chishimba.
The labour ministry has been attached to Ministry of Information.
And in an interview, Chishimba said MUZ was likely to elect its new president within three months as per constitutional requirement.
The election has been necessitated following the death of union president Oswell Munyenyembe in a car crash on the Kitwe-Ndola Dual Carriageway on February 7.
"The constitution says someone cannot go beyond three months in acting capacity, so the position will have to be filled up and organisation of the election is done by the supreme council. So we need to organise logistics for all branches throughout Zambia," Chishimba explained.
He appealed to MUZ members to be more supportive of the union now than ever because bereavements usually bring a lot of perceptions.
"There may be a perception that with our president's demise maybe the union will not be as vibrant as it used to be but even when he was alive, we were working as a team. People will carry the mantle that he left. So we are urging our members to be supportive, patient and courageous to continue receiving leadership from us," said Chishimba.
He advised that moving from one union to another would not help anyone.
Labels: MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY, MUZ
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Kambwili's removal from labour should serve as a warning to other ministers - Mutati
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe and Brina Manenga
Mon 06 Feb. 2012, 12:59 CAT
THE removal of Chishimba Kambwili from the Ministry of Labour should serve as a warning to other ministers that excitement does not pay, says Felix Mutati. And Mutati says commerce minister Bob Sichinga is contradicting finance minister Alexander Chikwanda by claiming that the fallen MMD regime printed K3 trillion 'illegal' notes from China.
Last Friday, President Michael Sata delinked the sports segment from the Ministry of Labour after Kambwili ran a series of attacks on key industry owners whom he accused of disrespecting and flouting labour laws in the country.
Kambwili, who last month was removed from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after diplomats accredited to Zambia complained about his lack of diplomatic etiquette, has been confined to sports and youths affairs.
Commenting on the development, Mutati, who is also opposition chief whip, said there was need to maintain level-headedness and consistency among top government ministers.
"Other ministers should be able to learn from what has happened that excitement doesn't pay," Mutati said in an interview.
"What is crucial is to be reflective in the pursuit of delivery to the people of Zambia and that you cannot articulate and formulate policies as you walk about but through an informed and researched stakeholder basis."
And Youth Assembly Zambia has commended President Sata for detaching the Ministry of Labour from sport.
In an interview, YAZ secretary general David Musonda said the detaching of labour from sport has shown that President Sata was passionate about maintaining a friendly atmosphere with investors in the country.
"President Sata has shown that he is someone who cares about investor confidence in the country. What we need is someone who is going to make sure that issues of labour are sorted out in a way that will not keep investors from investing in our country that needs more investments," said Musonda.
Meanwhile, Mutati advised Sichinga to confine himself to issues of commerce, trade and industry to avoid misleading the nation.
Mutati said there was never illegal money printed by the Bank of Zambia during the MMD regime, and that was confirmed by Chikwanda.
"If you recall during the last sitting of Parliament, the Minister of Finance indicated that the banknotes are not an illegal tender," he said.
"So that chapter was closed and the country regained confidence in the currency that was in circulation and continued to use it as legal tender. So, from the opposition perspective, our concern is that we are being told that there is over K3 trillion when in actual fact the minister of finance said otherwise. This is a clear contradiction on a key national policy and it impacts on financial stability...So the government must tell us which minister is telling the truth. They must clarify."
On December 9, 2011, Chikwanda told Parliament that although BoZ violated the public procurement Act in awarding German company Giesecke and Devrient to print new kwacha notes, the banknotes were not illegal tender.
Mutati said the growing inconsistency on key policy pronouncements among government ministers was depressing investor confidence and confusing the general populous.
He said there was need for the PF government to work at building its image among local and international investors to attract large Foreign Direct Investments to make a dent on the high unemployment and poverty levels in the country.
"The general sense we are getting from investors, particularly with investors whether in or outside Zambia, is that the unrest that are taking place in the labour market are creating significant uncertainty," said Mutati who is also Lunte MMD member of parliament.
"When you have local investors worried, it even becomes more for those that are outside the country because investors talk to each other.
"Sometimes it's not what the government says but the conversation they have got with those that have already invested."
Labels: CHINESE, CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, FELIX MUTATI, MICHAEL SATA, MINISTRIES, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY, MMD
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President Sata moves Labour portfolio to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with immediate effect
TIME PUBLISHED - Friday, February 3, 2012, 8:33 pm
President of Zambia Michael Sata has with immediate effect re-aligned three Government ministries. President Sata has directed the acting Secretary to the Cabinet Mr. Evans Chibiliti to proceed with all the necessary procedures and immediately imeplement the changes.
“I would like to direct that the portfolio of Tourism be transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Labour portifolio be transferred from Youth and Sport to Ministry of Information, it shall be known as Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Labour,” reads the President’s letter to Mr Chibiliti in part.
And the Head of State says the re-allignment has been done to curb statements that alarm the nation and investors alike.
“As a Government, we have to be level-headed and not be seen to be inciting the public. I expect ministers to discourage strikes and lock-outs. Strikes or industrial unrests have a very negative effect on a fragile economy like ours. The same applies to lock-outs,” President Sata said.
“If we are not careful, some of these alarming statements will even destroy the little we have or the little strides we have made economically so far. We know that there are numerous short-comings in almost all sectors but we will not address these shortcomings through threats and being loud-mouthed.”
President Sata said that Zambians expect the Government to handle the problems facing the country with sobriety.
“Policy consistency is a compelling need for all Governments all over the world. As my very final warning, I ask all the ministers not to lead me into temptation.”
“I am alive to the fact that most of my colleagues that have been appointed as Ministers have no experience in these portifolios. Therefore, I strongly feel its my duty to protect the image of the party, the Government, the people of Zambia and the economy in general,” the President said.
“In my statement of 30th January, 2012, I enjoined and cautioned ministers not to make statements that did not reflect Government policy or which had not been referred to and cleared by Cabinet. Statements on the economy made by ministers that are not the competent channels for the issues they raise are damaging to our credibility as a country.
“Policy consistency is a compelling need for all Governments all over the world. As my very final warning, I ask all the ministers not to lead me into temptation.”
Earlier today, Minister of Labour, Sports, Youth and Gender Chishimba Kambwili reiterated that the law will visit all those companies that are violating labour laws.
Speaking when he featured on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) radio 2 programme dubbed Workers Voice, the Minister said he was disappointed with the way some employers were treating their workers.
Mr. Kambwili said his Ministry will work hand in with Trade Unions to ensure that all workers are paid according to the work they do.
He emphasized that all employers who are not giving their workers good working conditions should revise them so as to motivate workers before law takes its course.
Mr. Kambwili who has come under fire from some section of society over his stance to caution investors violating worker right said he will not stop until he see the right thing done.
He said his government welcomes investors but wants them to respect labour laws, pay workers good salaries so that there is a win- win situation between workers and companies.
The Minister who also received reports during the programme of companies like Shoprite, Game Stores and Zam Beef paying little money (K300, 000 per month) said he will soon visit the companies to confirm the reports.
He said he cannot allow companies to continue abusing their workers by paying little monies which he said cannot even sustain them.
Mr. Kambwili stated that he will also not segregate in his tour of companies whether Chinese, Zambian or other companies by other nationalities adding that he wants the best for the Zambian workers.
He also disclosed that he will visit Shoprite on issues of casualisation adding that workers have complained of working for longer than six years without employed on a permanent basis.
“If the previous government was treating you with kids’ gloves, not with this government. I have on occasions visited Shoprite and randomly spoke to workers who have told me that they are contracts on for a year” said Mr.Kambwili.
“If the previous government was treating you with kids’ gloves, not with this government. I have on occasions visited Shoprite and randomly spoke to workers who have told me that they are on contracts for a year” said Mr.Kambwili.
He stated that the Patriotic Front (PF) government has started addressing the issue of pensioners and all the pensioners are going to be paid in time.
Mr. Kambwili has appealed to the Zambians to support the government in its quest to improve the welfare of employees and to go on zero tolerance of abuse of employees.
And speaking on the same programme Federation for Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ) President Joyce Nonde Simukoko has said she is looking forward to the review of Labour laws in the country so that the Labour Unions and government can work properly.
Mrs. Simukoko said the Federation will support the Minister in his quest to bring sanity in the work place adding that her organization does not condone employers abusing their workers.
She stated that it is for the best interest of all workers that companies that violet workers right are closed adding that workers wants to see the government address the issue of labour .
She urged government to make ensure that workers are allowed to join Trade Unions by their employers so as to maintain the flow of information.
ZANIS
Labels: CASUALISATION, CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, EVANS CHIBILITI, LABOUR, MICHAEL SATA, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY
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Given Lubinda transferred to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mutembo Nchito sworn in as DPP
TIME PUBLISHED - Thursday, January 12, 2012, 1:40 pm
President Michael Sata has announced changes to his cabinet in a mini Cabinet reshuffle. President Sata has transferred Given Lubinda to the ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Chishimba Kambwili has been taken to the ministry of Labour, Youth and Sports.
Fackson Shamenda is the new minister in the ministry of information, broadcasting and tourism. Mr Sata said the changes are aimed at improving the efficiency of government.
The changes are the first the President has made at Cabinet level since ascending to the high office following his election victory in the 20th September, 2011 elections.
Meanwhile President Sata has directed Director of Public Prosecutions Mutembo Nchito to extend investigations into the sale of Zamtel, to LAP Green.
President Sata says there is need for the office of the DPP to improve on how they prepare the cases to allow the courts do a good job.
The head of state has also called for thorough investigations of other cases involving the privatization of Roan and Kagem mines, Lima bank and Livingstone Intercontinental.Â
The president says the Director of Prosecution and his team to take to court corruption cases that have been well investigated and prepared to allow the law takes it course.
President Sata was speaking in Lusaka today during the swearing in ceremony of Mutembo Nchito as Director of Public Prosecution.
And President Sata has observed that late President Levy Mwanawasa was betrayed when died by the people he trusted in his will to fight corruption.
President Sata adds that the Late Dr. Mwanawasa was committed and worked diligently to fight corruption but that his good will was abandoned by the Rupiah Banda led government.
The president has since urged the new legal team to ensure that corruption is fought saying the PF government should ensure that it leave the government system better than it found it.
And Director of Public Prosecution Mutembo Nchito has vowed to ensure that the rule of law prevails in the country’s legal system.
Mr. Nchito told journalists that it is important for the law to be applied in a fair and just manner irrespective of one’s status in society.
The DPP has also indicated that he will soon start reviewing all the alleged corruption cases involving former leaders.
Mr. Nchito notes that there is therefore need for the people being investigated to be patient and allow the law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the cases.
QFM
Labels: CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, FACKSON SHAMENDA, GIVEN LUBINDA, LAP GREEN, MICHAEL SATA, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY, MUTEMBO NCHITO, ZAMTEL
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Let's wait for the law to take its course - Liato
By Chibaula Silwamba and Kombe Chimpinde
Wed 30 Nov. 2011, 13:50 CAT
LET us wait for the law to take its course, says Austin Liato. Liato, a former labour minister in the Rupiah Banda government at whose farm law enforcement agencies found K2.1 billion hidden underground, appeared before investigators for two hours and fifteen minutes at the former office of the Task Force on Corruption.
Asked about his whereabouts since the discovery of the K2.1 billion last Thursday, Liato declined to comment.
"I am not saying anything," said Liato as his lawyers and police officers moved in to shield him while journalists pushed to get quotes from him.
He declined to tell the journalists the source of his funds and the manner he kept it.
Asked if he felt persecuted, Liato responded: "Let us wait for the law to take its course."
The police quickly whisked him away.
Liato surrendered himself to law enforcement agencies at exactly 15:00 hours yesterday for interrogation in connection with the K2.1 billion unearthed at his farm in Mwembeshi area in Mumbwa district last Thursday.
Liato, an MMD national executive committee (NEC) chairman for labour but on suspension over the money saga, arrived at the former offices of the Taskforce on Corruption in the company of about six of his relatives, political-ally Joseph Mulyata and lawyer Nelly Mutti, among others.
Liato, whom Inspector General of Police Dr Martin Malama had urged to come out of hiding after a five-day non-appearance before investigators, walked aided by a walking stick after disembarking from a vehicle registration number ABX 5232.
When journalists asked how he was feeling, the exhausted-looking Liato said: "I am fine. How are you?"
Liato was quickly ushered into the premises of the former Taskforce on Corruption while his relatives and journalists were told to remain outside.
After the over two-hour interrogation, police and other law enforcement officers came out with Liato as journalists jostled to interview him but without success.
The officers later put Liato in a Nissan Hard Body and drove him to his residence in Kalundu suburb in Lusaka, where the officers conducted a search.
Earlier in the day, investigators interrogated a woman suspected to be Liato's girlfriend.
The woman was interrogated in the morning at the offices of the former Task Force on Corruption in Lusaka in connection with the K2.1 billion that was found hidden underground at Liato's farm.
According to sources, the woman was picked from a bus coming from Sesheke district in Western Province.
She was interrogated for over an hour and when she came out and found photojournalists outside the premises, the woman hid her face and started crying.
Police officers had to help her to look for a taxi but in the process a lady came with a car and she was whisked away.
Meanwhile, Zambia Revenue Authority Commissioner General Berlin Msiska says the institution is interested in the K2.1 billion which was unearthed at Liato's farm by investigative wings.
In a statement yesterday, Msiska stated that ZRA was interested in the money for accountability purposes.
"Taxation does not consider whether income is from a legitimate source, such as a business, or not. It focuses on the fact that income has been received by a person. The key issue is that the income has been received," stated Msiska.
"In a nutshell, what is material is that the income has been paid to, given or accrues to the person. What is essential is that the income accrues to the person in the person's favour, is due to the person or held to the person's order or on the person's behalf. This also applies to income that is in any way disposed of in accordance with a person's order or in a person's favour."
According to Msiska, a person's income is liable to tax on the basis that it has been received by that person or belongs to that person.
"Tax equity is not attained and invariably complying taxpayers have to pay taxes for those who are non-compliant. The government is also deprived of the much-needed resources that are required for developmental programmes," he stated.
"ZRA will therefore work, at all times, within its mandate, with the security wings of the government to ensure accountability regarding the payment of the correct taxes."
And investigators also interrogated former permanent Secretary in the Ministry of tourism Peter Mumba but no details about his probe were disclosed.
The investigators queried Mumba for about one hour.
When asked about his questioning, Mumba said he was discussing with the investigators.
"We were discussing matters of the nation. It's too early to disclose what we discussed. The word summoned is a very strong word, I was just asked to come. It's too early to say. The discussion went extremely well and I am very happy," said Mumba.
Labels: AUSTIN LIATO, CORRUPTION, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY, MMD
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Committee fails to agree on minimum wage
By Agness Changala
Fri 13 Nov. 2009, 04:00 CAT
THE technical committee of tripartite consultative council which was set up by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to review the minimum wage among other issues has failed to reach consensus on the new wage.
In an interview yesterday, council representative from Federation of Free Trade Unions in Zambia (FFTUZ) Deluse Mwansa disclosed that the team had discussed many issues to do with the labour relations and employers Acts but failed to come up with a new wage.
Mwansa accused employers of being selfish in that they did not agree with the proposed K599,000 minimum wage.
“We came up with K599,000 but the employers are saying it is going to be costly on their part,” he said. “As a union we feel it’s reasonable because people are suffering in this country.”
Mwansa said since the employers were complaining that the proposed minimum wage would be costly on their part, the committee would leave it to the government to come up with a figure which he said, the union would support.
He said since the committee did not agree on the new wage, they had left it to the government to come up with a statutory instrument which would be taken to the Ministry of Justice for further action.
He said the government’s proposal on the matter would be better than the employers’.
Mwansa said the statutory instrument would also be taken to Cabinet and Parliament before it could be advertised in the government gazette.
Two weeks ago, labour minister Austin Liato disclosed that his ministry had constituted a team of representatives from Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE), trade unions and government officials to review the minimum wage, which currently stands at K268,000.
Liato said the government was prompted to set up a committee because the minimum wage and offer of poor conditions of service to workers were a great source of concern.
Labels: DELUSE MWANSA, MINIMUM WAGE, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY
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