Zambians able to address their challenges - ZCTU
By Moses Kuwema
Thu 13 June 2013, 14:00 CAT
ZCTU general secretary Roy Mwaba says Zambians are capable of addressing the challenges that the country is faced with.
Commenting on Swedish Ambassador to Zambia Lena Nordstrom's observation that Zambia's challenges can be fully addressed by Zambians and not foreigners, Mwaba said Zambians were the creators of the challenges hence they understood them better than anyone else.
"As ZCTU, we totally support the stance by the Ambassador. We are capable and we have the capacity to address our own internal issues. Our colleagues from outside can only give advice. Each country has its own way of handling its development programme. As a labour movement, we are supposed to partner with the government, just like what is happening with the constitution. Most of the problems that we have are created by ourselves," Mwaba said.
He said Zambia as a sovereign state should not depend on other countries to develop.
"These people who give us aid, for instance, if it is economic aid, it should be specifically for that. We don't want aid that will be based on how the country is supposed to be governed. We want to maintain independence as a country. We have to resolve our own internal issues as a country, after all, we are the people who created them and we have the capacity to put our heads together. For example, the issue of KCM planning to lay off workers, we did not call foreigners but we solved the issue ourselves," said Mwaba.
During a three-day national legal and clinic for women community workshop held in Mantumbusa community in Mansa District a fortnight ago, Ambassador Nordstrom said Zambians were capable of solving the problems that the country was facing because they understood them better.
"Also if you look at the support which foreign countries render, it is meant for a short period which of course might be hard to rely on. You have enough resources, knowledge and capacity to address all the challenges which you are facing but what is important is to work together and speak one voice. Anyway chilikuliimwe (it's up to you)," said Ambassador Nordstrom.
Labels: LENA NORDSTROM, ROY MWABA, TRADE UNIONS, ZCTU
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My life belongs to God - Sata
By Staff Reporters
Thu 02 May 2013, 14:01 CAT
MY life belongs to God, says President Michael Sata.
And President says the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows was top priority for his government as it diverted resources that created jobs.
Meanwhile, President Sata told workers that salary increments and hard work should go hand in hand.
Addressing workers and other citizens during this year's International Labour Day celebrations at the Freedom Statue in Lusaka yesterday themed 'Transforming the economy through job creation, labour law reform, better conditions of service and improved work culture', President Sata said MMD leader Nevers Mumba and his UPND counterpart Hakainde Hichilema stayed away from the event because they had been spreading rumours that he was ill.
"My life belongs to God… Even if I were to die today, there are some young PF leaders who are ready to take over from me…," he said. "Nevers Mumba is not here. Hakainde Hichilema is not here because they are ashamed. Go and tell them Mr Sata is still alive and what type of leaders are they that want others to be sick and to die? If you are a leader and you are aspiring to lead the people of Zambia, come here and celebrate with them, including my boys who are in the trees."
President Sata also said there were no leadership wrangles in the Patriotic Front.
"There are many people in PF who can take over from me. They are not fighting, they are waiting (for the right time) and some of them are trying witchcraft from Chipata, people like Edgar Lungu (home affairs minister) but it fails," he said.
And President Sata said increased salaries and improved conditions of service should go hand in hand with hard work.
"If the unions are sleeping, I am not going to do the job for you. If you knock on our door, we are ready," he said. "We have shown that we can."
And President Sata said the problem with the young generation in Zambia was that they preferred shortcuts than to emulate people like Dr Kenneth Kaunda.
"Our fight against corruption and illicit financial flows is a priority," he said.
"Kenneth Kaunda saw this country in Northern Rhodesia when he came from Chinsali. He was walking from Chinsali to come and look for my late sister (late Mama Betty Kaunda) in Mpika… He has struggled to see this country get where it is, that is why today it pains him and he doesn't want to keep hair; us young Zambians we can't emulate people like KK, you are making shortcuts."
President Sata also paid tribute to workers for their sacrifices towards transforming the country's economy.
He said the government would implement forward-looking and equitable policies in line with the PF manifesto.
President Sata said the government had created more than 175, 000 jobs since assuming power.
He said transforming the economy of the country required upholding integrity, accountability and transparency in the use of public resources.
President Sata said corruption diverted resources meant for poverty reduction and sustainable development.
Earlier, President Sata asked the master of ceremonies to invite former ZESCO board chairperson Fr Frank Bwalya, who was, however, not present at the event, to offer a prayer.
And President Sata sang a birthday song for Dr Kenneth Kaunda soon after getting to the podium.
Dr Kaunda turned 89 on Sunday.
And speaking earlier, International Labour Organisation (ILO) country director Martin Clemensson said there had been positive economic growth under the PF government.
Federation of Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ) president Joyce Nonde-Simukoko said she was happy with the positive dialogue that had been there between trade unions and the government, adding that the MMD lost the 2011 elections because it had no policies that supported the poor.
She said the opposition must grow and mature.
"We are disappointed that the opposition are not here. They need to grow up and mature. We need to put an end to this. The opposition must be here to listen to us because their members have different political affiliation," said Nonde-Simukoko.
And Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) president Alfred Masupha thanked President Sata for listening to their demands.
"When we cried that the Ministry of Labour be delinked from the Ministry of Information you listened and we thank you for that," said Masupha.
Labour minister Fackson Shamenda said the PF had shamed those that insulted President Sata.
He said some of those that insulted President Sata were ministers and deputy ministers.
"If you were a dictator, you wouldn't have called for dialogue with the opposition. Those that insulted you are not only walking the streets of Lusaka free, some of them are serving in this government as ministers and deputies," said Shamenda.
And Zambia Congress of Trade Unions president Leonard Hikaumba said Zambia would only progress if people support the PF because the party had shown commitment in uplifting the general living standards of citizens.
And during Labour Day celebrations in Kitwe, health minister Dr Joseph Kasonde said workers must lead the movement for the transformation of the national economy through positive work culture.
He said workers must demonstrate the ability to add value through discipline, good time management and overall commitment towards work.
"I urge the workers with the bad attitude towards work to stop it.
Let's persuade those people with a bad attitude towards work to stop it! They must behave themselves not only in their on interest but in the interest of national development," said Dr Kasonde. "We have pillars of development, with the first being job creation. The PF government is committed to ensuring that decent jobs are created through increased investments in social and economic programmes for sustainable development. We will continue working with the private sector to ensure that entrepreneurs have access to cheap credit for investment."
And Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) executive board trustee Misheck Nyambose said the much-needed development in the country could only be achieved by uprooting slavery conditions of work and forging strong ties of alliance between the government and the trade union movement as well as correcting misconceptions that the trade unions have nothing to do with politics.
And in Livingstone, gender minister Inonge Wina said gender-based violence reduces women's productive capacities at the work place due to high levels of absenteeism.
She appealed to workers to be productive and bring on board positive attitudes at their places of work. "Women affected by gender-based violence experience high levels of absenteeism from work," she said.
Wina said leaders should be accountable to the Zambian people and work tirelessly to raise the living standards of the people.
Livingstone PF area member of parliament Lawrence Evans said he was saddened by the work culture of most of the over 500 youth employed to work on UNWTO general assembly developmental projects who tend to abscond for work after getting paid.
Deputy labour minister Ronald Chitotela urged employers to abide by the minimum wage law and promised the workers that the government was not going to abandon them.
ZCTU first vice-president and Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) president Chishimba Nkole said a lot of Zambians were without jobs because some investors were anti-union.
Labels: MICHAEL SATA, ZCTU
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Kansanshi mine demands for $20million from 2 Solwezi residents
TIME PUBLISHED - Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 2:24 pm
KANSANSHI Mining PLC is demanding for US$20 million from two Solwezi residents and others who allegedly incited mine employees to go on an illegal strike which resulted in loss of business.
The $20 million was for damages and loss of business resulting from the four-day alleged premature and illegal strike action early this year.
The mining company has dragged Benson Ngambo, Yobe Banda and others to court demanding for compensation for loss of business which the company endured when the duo allegedly induced and influenced employees to undertake an illegal strike action.
According to a statement of claim filed before the Lusaka High Court, Kansanshi Mining stated that Ngambo, Banda and others allegedly induced, persuaded and procured its employees to breach the contracts of employment by influencing a strike action which resulted in the loss of business.
The company stated that Ngambo, who claimed to have been a representative of Government and Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), together with Banda and others on March 1, 2012 induced Kansanshi mining employees to go on a strike action contrary to the provisions of the Industrial and Labour Relations Act chapter 269 of the Laws of Zambia.
It stated that on the material day, Ngambo addressed the employees and made a call for them to participate in a strike action and picketing around the company premises.
The company said the move taken by Ngambo, Banda and others was a breach of its employees’ employment contracts as the strike was unlawful and illegal.It said the duo and others influenced the employees to physically ban the way of persons and motor vehicles trying to enter and leave the mining area while they intimidated and harassed drivers.
Kansanshi Mining claimed that the striking employees barred heavy duty vehicles loaded with various merchandise from delivering in and out of the mining area, a move that caused lossof business not only to it but third parties as well.
It stated that because of the same, Kansanshi Mining lost approximately $5 million per day in revenue.
The company, which had initially jointly sued 14 of its former employees and later filed a notice of discontinuation against them, had also sought an injunction restraining further striking, which was granted.
The matter is being handled by High Court Judge Dominic Sichinga who has set September 20, 2012 as the date for commencement of trial.
[Times of Zambia]
Labels: KANSANSHI MINING PLC, STRIKE, ZCTU
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Opposition should seek other avenues for resolving internal matters instead of courting ‘foreigners’-Roy Mwaba
TIME PUBLISHED - Friday, May 11, 2012, 8:18 pm
THE Zambian Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) general secretary Roy Mwaba has now changed allegiance from the MMD to the party in government when he decided to antagonize the union’s leadership by questioning why it was necessary to meet opposition political party leaders over their stance to oppose President Sata’s suspending Judges.
Mr Mwaba, who was supportive of MMD programmes and activities prior to the September 20 general elections, shocked many people at a press briefing in Lusaka when he asked
why opposition political party leaders were courting the diplomatic community on internal matters which Zambians had the capacity to resolve.
Mr Mwaba said if the opposition were aggrieved on the suspension of judges, they should seek other avenues of resolving internal matters instead of courting ‘foreigners’.
“There are a number of avenues that the opposition can follow if there is any issue that they feel should be addressed. For example the opposition leaders have Members of Parliament (MPs) who can raise an issue in parliament or they can call for an interparty dialogue where issues can be discussed.
“So there are avenues through which internal matters can be resolved. So as a labour movement we are wondering why the opposition is running to seek foreign intervention when there are avenues,” he said.
Mr Mwaba advised foreign missions not to interfere with the country’s internal matters as Zambian’s had the capacity to solve their internal issues.
He said Zambia was a sovereign state which was capable of resolving its internal issues.
Mwaba said opposition party leaders should stop wasting time of the labour movement and they next time they wished to meet with the ZCTU on any matter, they should make a formal application instead of the impromptu approach taken this time.
Mwaba said the opposition political party leaders had besieged the ZCTU headquarters, which are located next to the office for the taskforce on corruption headquarters in Lusaka’s Porsche Woodlands suburbs to seek audience with the labour movement over the suspension of three judges. He said nothing tangible was discussed in the meeting.
“There was nothing that was resolved in the so called meeting and there are minutes to that effect and this will be availed to the board. But advise the opposition that next time they wish to meet us they should follow procedure,” he said.
Mwaba emphasized that the ZCTU would only issues a statement on the suspended judges after gathering adequate information because the Congress did not want to speculate on the case.
He also took time to comment on the Barosteland turbulence saying the labour movement was shocked as to why some stakeholders were making unwarranted comments on the matter when President Michael Sata had not made any official position following the Roger Chongwe Commission of inquiry whose report was tossed out by the President upon its submission at State House.
He said ZCTU always advocated for a united Zambia and that all and its affiliates would always stand to defend the position of the mother body.
Labels: MMD, OPPOSITION, ROY MWABA, ZCTU
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Guards' wages shamefully low - Ng'andu
By Fredrick Mwansa in Itezhi Tezhi
Fri 04 May 2012, 14:00 CAT
ITEZHI TEZHI district Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) chairman Chris Ng'andu says wages for security guards are shamefully low. Speaking in Itezhi Tezhi during Labour Day celebrations held at Itezhi Tezhi Basic School, Chris Ng'andu said wages for the security guards need to be revised to reflect living conditions in the country.
"Security officers are the first line of defence, the first responders and protectors of property and lives, but employers don't treat them like heroes," he says. "They pay them about K300,000 which is shameful and yet they are among the most important employees because they are among the first people taken out if there was an attack," Ng'andu said.
He appealed to security firms to reflect seriously on the wages they were paying their security officers.
Meanwhile, Ng'andu commended government for awarding rural hardship allowances to all workers in Itezhi Tezhi district.
He also urged government to fulfill the promise of create employment for youths in the country.
And Itezhi Tezhi district commissioner Roy Nan'galelwa said government was committed to implementing policies that would stimulate creation of employment for youths.
"Appropriate labour laws are being reviewed to improve conditions of service for workers as well as implementing policies that will stimulate investment which will create employment opportunities for youths," Nan'galelwa said.
He said that there was need for change in the work culture of public workers in order for government to achieve significant development.
Labels: ZCTU
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Tsvangirai sucked into ZCTU power struggle
02/05/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has been sucked into an unseemly power struggle for the control of Zimbabwe’s biggest labour union. May Day celebrations on Tuesday dramatised a raging battle to control the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) – the union that catapulted Tsvangirai to the leadership of the MDC after over a decade as its secretary general.
Now the union is split into two camps: one led by former Tsvangirai ally, Lovemore Matombo, and the other by George Nkiwane, who now seems to enjoy Tsvangirai support. Nkiwane’s backers called a congress late last year and elected him leader. Matombo – whose term was up as per the ZCTU constitution – boycotted the congress and suggested it was illegally convened.
The two organisations held competing Workers’ Day celebrations, with Tsvangirai addressing more than a thousand workers who convened at Gwanzura Stadium under Nkiwane’s leadership.
Matombo, meanwhile, organised celebrations at the Harare Gardens which attracted some 300 workers and were attended by MDC leader Welshman Ncube and Mavambo-Kusile leader Simba Makoni.
Matombo warned Tsvangirai he risks alienating a large body of his traditional supporters in the workers’ movement by wading into the leadership dispute.
Raged Matombo: “If you are a father, and you make choices of which child you are going to support, then you cannot be regarded as the best father.”
Tsvangirai went to the Gwanzura celebrations with MDC-T secretary-general Tendai Biti, deputy chairman Morgan Komichi, organising secretary Nelson Chamisa, deputy treasurer Elton Mangoma and party spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora.
Matombo claimed the MDC-T leader had defied a party resolution that senior officials would not attend any of the commemorations so that they would not be seen to be taking sides in the dispute.
“Even if Tsvangirai did not like Matombo, he was not supposed to take sides because what he did is contrary to an MDC-T resolution made three weeks ago that they were not going to attend both meetings,” he said.
“The people who are going to suffer most are the workers because our agenda has been hijacked by the MDC-T and yet Tsvangirai is a former trade unionist who is being used by some MDC-T elements who want to settle scores and are using him to destroy the workers organisation which he formed.”
Tsvangirai deplored the divisions and called for an end to the factionalism, which he said were harming the country’s oldest and biggest labour body.
“I want to start by expressing my displeasure at the fact that there are two or more celebrations taking place today because labour has chosen to factionalise,” he said.
“Factions are in politics, not in labour unions and the working class cannot be divided on the basis of personalities. As labour, we have to unite and it is imperative to note that this day should unite us and not divide us, and so I want to appeal to the leaders to unite.”
Labels: MDC, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, ZCTU
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Setting standards which apply to all
By The Post
Wed 07 Mar. 2012, 12:00 CAT
IT was very comforting to listen to Fackson Shamenda, our Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Labour, explain what they were trying to do as a government on various issues. Fackson has been a friend of our newspaper for many years, from the days of his leadership of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions. He was our friend because we shared many values, principles and standards.
But on Monday this week, he came to our newspaper in another capacity, as a minister in our government. He was last here before the elections. We were happy to listen to our friend and see how much he has changed or how much he has not changed since becoming a minister.
The man has not changed. He has remained the same Fackson we have known over the years - honest, principled, loyal, analytical and articulate. Being in government has not deformed him in any way. We were also delighted to see with him Amos Malupenga, our permanent secretary in the same ministry.
Amos has also not been here since he got down to the busy schedules of government work. Issues of our long relationships and the serious business of government were all blended together.
Both Amos and Fackson reminded us and themselves where we came from, the path we had travelled, the principles we have defended. It was enjoyable to listen to them articulate the history of The Post with utmost honesty and sincerity. But one thing stood out in all that they said. These were men out to do good for our country and our people.
Fackson gave us a sense of great pride when he reassured us about his government's commitment to fighting corruption and other abuses of power and public office. He told us that what they were doing to the previous leaders is what should be done to them if they commit the same wrongs or engage in the same transgressions; that the standards they were setting in their treatment of others should be the standards that should be used against them when they leave office.
This is a very highly principled position to take. Fackson was simply telling us that wrong is wrong regardless of who is behind it; if Fackson steals, he should be arrested, prosecuted and sent to jail in the same way a leader from the MMD government would be treated for a similar crime.
It is clear that the pursuit of justice is a fundamental norm of Fackson and his colleagues in the Michael Sata-led government. What can one ask for from a man, from a government that seems to be abiding by the golden rule, that seems to be doing unto others as they would like others to do unto them?
This is not cheap politicking on the part of Fackson. We can say this with confidence because we know him. It is something rooted in a straightforward view of society, in the understanding that the individual does best in a strong and decent community of people with principles and standards and common aims and values.
Our task today is to ensure that our politicians, Fackson and his colleagues, apply those values, principles, standards and common aims. And this calls for a new type of politics. It is time to break out of the politics of the past 20 years of MMD rule and break through with a clear vision for Zambia.
Today's politics is about the common good; it is not about the enrichment or enjoyment of a few individuals.
It is also about the protection and advancement of the humanity of every individual. Human dignity transcends in social order as the basis for rights and is neither granted by society nor can it be legitimately violated by society. All people are created in the image and likeness of God and this gives every person great dignity.
Therefore, all citizens are equal in dignity and have equal rights. No human person, situation, event or thing can take away this dignity. Leaders who respect human dignity guarantee basic rights to the people they rule and create opportunities for citizens to exercise their responsibilities.
A just society can exist only when it respects the dignity of the human person. The social order and its development must invariably work for the benefit of the human person. Leaders should exercise stewardship and uphold the common good.
It is said that one cannot call others to virtues which he himself does not make an effort to practice. Equally, we cannot protect the ordinary against the abuse of power by leaving them to it: we must protect each other. We must do it together because this can only be done together.
Leaders lead, but in the end the people govern. Our leaders should lead by example; they should respect themselves and be exemplary in their daily lives. If it is wrong for Rupiah Banda to steal public funds; it is equally wrong for Michael to steal public funds.
But we cannot say that because today we love Michael, we have just voted for him and it will not be okay for him to be prosecuted for corruption when he leaves office and the only way we can ensure that is by making sure his predecessor, Rupiah, is not prosecuted.
This is so because if we prosecute Rupiah for his misdeeds, then Michael will also be prosecuted. This is not true. It is not automatic that if Rupiah is prosecuted for corruption then Michael will also be prosecuted for corruption. Who says that if Rupiah stole then Michael will also steal? But if both steal, then both should be prosecuted and there will be nothing wrong with that.
These are the standards this government is setting. And Fackson is telling us that they are taking a risk, but it's a risk worth taking because it's in the interest of the people. This is the leadership we want. This is what is meant by selfless leadership.
This is what should guide this government's dealings with the misdeeds, with the corruption and other abuses of the Rupiah regime. It needs a principled position. Political expediency in matters of this nature won't do.
If this government continues on this path, we have no doubt that although they will face many challenges, many problems, they will not let the Zambian people down - they will achieve what can be achieved in the circumstances. It's not going to be easy, and no one should cheat themselves or anyone else that things are going to be easy. They won't.
Things are going to get tough, rough economically, socially and politically. We have challenges in all spheres of human endeavour that will require our greatest efforts and our greatest wisdom to overcome. There are many interests that need to be balanced.
For instance, in trying to put more money in the pockets of our people, we have come up with a Pay As You Earn system that is likely to reduce government revenues without any meaningful compensating taxes. This may, after May, force our government to resort to heavy borrowing.
But there are dangers also in being highly indebted; there is even a limit to how much can be borrowed. There are no easy solutions to these challenges; there are no magic formulas to problems of this nature that sometimes look insoluble. This simply demonstrates the tragedy of our people, the distressing difficulties we have to face.
And we share the bitter feeling of impotence that our political leaders may have in the face of such problems and their concerns for the political instability which these problems may give rise to.
We have no alternative but to struggle, trusting in the great moral and intellectual capacity of our people, of our leaders and indeed in our own instincts for self-preservation, if we wish to harbour any hope for survival and progress.
Only with an honest, self-respecting, selfless leadership and with a tremendous effort and the moral and intellectual support of all can we face a future that objectively appears desperate and sombre.
Labels: AMOS MALUPENGA, FACKSON SHAMENDA, ZCTU
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Strikes are avoidable - ZCTU
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Thu 12 Jan. 2012, 13:47 CAT
MOST of the strikes by workers could be avoided if employers enter into genuine negotiations with union leaders, says a labour leader.
Supporting labour, youth and sport minister Fackson Shamenda's call that employers should take workers' demands seriously in order to curb industrial work stoppages, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions director for public relations and international affairs Martin Chembe said in most cases, employers had kept away vital information from the negotiating team which delayed negotiations and angered workers.
"By being genuine, we mean employers must give reasonable salary increments to workers instead of starting negotiations with very low proposed wage increases. Workers have for a long time toiled under difficult conditions and we urge employers to appreciate labour by awarding meaningful wage increases which would improve the welfare of workers," Chembe said.
He said employers should realise that only a motivated labour force could be productive and that companies would experience less work stoppages if workers were happy with their wages and conditions of work.
Chembe said it was common to find workers in most manufacturing companies performing their duties without appropriate protective clothing.
He said this was not fair because employers were playing with people's lives and they must realise that any loss of life among employees was costly to the company.
Chembe said poor wages and conditions of work were a recipe for strike action especially that most workers were expectant and looking forward to better remuneration in line with the new government's election promises.
He said trade unions would work with the Ministry of Labour, Youth and Sport in supporting employers that were doing everything possible to improve the welfare of employees.
Chembe said the unions and the government were fully aware of the deplorable wages some workers had been subjected to and with the political will that had been exhibited by the new administration.
"We expect employers to do the right thing if the situation is to be addressed," Chembe said.
He called for calm among workers and advised them to give social dialogue a chance to resolve some of these problems.
Chembe said the task of transforming society requires concerted efforts from all quarters and this would be difficult to achieve in an environment of continuous strikes.
Labels: FACKSON SHAMENDA, ZCTU
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ZCTU Monze wants Hikaumba, Mwaba out
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Tue 29 Nov. 2011, 13:20 CAT
ZAMBIA Congress of Trade Unions members need to clean up all corners of the congress by removing all ineffective leaders, says the Monze branch. ZCTU members in the Southern Province town have joined growing calls for ZCTU president Leonard Hikaumba and secretary general Roy Mwaba to resign.
ZCTU Monze chairperson Foster Matakala and secretary Rays Mwansa in a jointly signed statement described the union mother body as "non-functional" despite its affiliates contributing a lot of money monthly.
The statement was a resolution of the minutes of the ZCTU meeting recently held in Monze
"The leadership has given ZCTU President Leonard Hikaumba and Secretary General Roy Mwaba to resign because they are a sellout to the workers," according to the e-mailed statement.
"They don't represent any worker but themselves and their families. Hikaumba and Roy Mwaba used to dine with MMD officials at the expense of bargaining for good conditions of service and better salaries for the workers."
ZCTU Monze also stated that Mwaba and Hikaumba should not be part of the negotiating team for next year's collective agreement.
"What can they negotiate for when they are getting hefty salaries and allowances when the majority of the workers have lived in poverty?" wondered the union officials.
"They were campaigning for MMD in the 2011 general elections and the PF government has kept quiet on the issue of union leadership campaigning for a political party when they are supposed to remain neutral."
The Monze workers stated that ZCTU was even failing to rent offices in districts when it had a lot of money from the affiliates.
"The union in the past five years has not been representing its membership because the leaders only wanted to fatten their pockets," they charged.
"We request the government to consider opening negotiations. Let the government look into the plight of the workers by giving them a good deal," stated ZCTU Monze.
Labels: LEONARD HIKAUMBA, MONZE, ROY MWABA, ZCTU
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PETUZ calls for resignation of ZCTU leadership
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Wed 05 Oct. 2011, 05:20 CAT
PROFESSIONAL Teachers Union of Zambia (PTUZ) says the current leadership of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) must resign as they have failed workers in the country.
PTUZ general secretary Kangwa Musenga said the top leadership of the ZCTU abandoned their responsibilities in the Rupiah Banda regime as they were more on the side of the government and not the workers. Musenga said workers in the country could not continue with leaders that turned themselves into MMD cadres.
"It was morally wrong for the ZCTU leaders to remain in office when they had abandoned their fundamental responsibilities of representing the labour movement and pushing the agenda of good governance in a democratic dispensation.
The current wave of protests going round in the country by workers clearly showed how ZCTU failed to notice the problems workers had or it simply means the ZCTU deliberately ignored the plight of workers because they became MMD cadres. This is unacceptable, almost all workers protesting, it also shows that the ZCTU leadership was compromised by the employer," Musenga said.
He said workers in the country needed strong representatives at all times. Musenga said ZCTU affiliates must call for an extra-ordinary general meeting to elect new leaders who must compete for positions without intimidation.
He said PTUZ was humbled by the appointment of former ZCTU president Fackson Shamenda as labour minister and former MUZ president Rayford Mbulu as deputy minister, adding that the two would help clean the mess at the ministry.
Musenga said the union was confident that the new education minister Dr John Phiri would improve education standards in the country. He said several teachers were suspended during elections by the MMD government because of their support for PTUZ and it was the hope of the union that the suspensions would be uplifted.
Musenga said government must also expedite the process of signing the recognition agreement for PTUZ as Banda's government refused to recognise the union's existence on unfounded and false accusations that it was a wing of the Patriotic Front.
Labels: PTUZ, TRADE UNIONS, ZCTU
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COMMENT - Good article, however what the writer doesn't point out is that almost none of the taxes due by the mining industry are actually paid. Or dividends either. That is the problem, collectability and the government's unwillingness to actually collect, because they have been bribed.
Mining Sector contributing less than 2% of domestic revenue-ZCTU
TIME PUBLISHED - Friday, July 22, 2011, 8:45 am
ZCTUThe Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has observed that the country’s current tax policy does not adequately support the redistribution of income, wealth and resources.
ZCTU first Vice President Crispin Munyukwa has acknowledged that mining is the mainstay of the country’s economy but noted that it pays very little in taxes and royalties.
Mr. Munyukwa says the country’s attainment of middle income status can largely be attributed to the increase in mining export receipts yet the sector only contributes less that 2 percent of domestic revenue.
He tells QFM in an interview that it is expected that government tax policy to be in line with the broader objectives of reducing poverty by strengthening redistributive policies.
Mr. Munyukwa has since appealed to government to consider revisiting the windfall taxes.
In Zambia, government has given a lot of incentives to mining companies in an effort to attract investors.
Exporters of copper and cobalt are levied 35% of taxable income whereas other mineral and “non-traditional” commodities (ie. excluding copper and cobalt) attract a levy of 15%. Companies listed on the Lusaka Stock Exchange are levied at 30% of taxable income.
Mining compnaies also pay a royalty fee calculated as 2% of the market value of minerals f.o.b. less the the cost of smelting, refining and insurance, handling and transport from the mining area to the point of export or delivery within Zambia.
In terms of relief, an investment in mining, including prospecting, attracts deductions from income tax on the following expenditures on capital expenditure; allowances of 25% on plant, machinery and commercial vehicles; 20% on non-commercial vehicles; 5% on industrial buildings.
A holder of a mining right is exempt from customs, excise and Vat duties in respect of all machinery and equipment required for exploration or mining activities.
[QFM/addition information from Ministry of Mines]
Labels: MINING, TAX EVASION, WINDFALL TAX, ZCTU
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Mourn Frederick Chiluba with respect - Rupiah
By Chibaula Silwamba
Sun 19 June 2011, 04:00 CAT
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has appealed to the nation to mourn former president Frederick Chiluba with dignity and respect. Addressing a media briefing in Chipata yesterday, President Banda said Chiluba would be remembered for the pivotal role he played in pioneering the reintroduction of multiparty democracy to Zambia and the whole of Africa.
President Banda said during Chiluba’s tenure as president of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), he built a solid labour movement which extensively advocated the rights of workers in Zambia and across the world.
“President Chiluba will be remembered, among other things, for laying the foundation towards the liberalisation of the economy which has led to the present economic growth Zambia is experiencing.
He will be sadly missed by all Zambians and human rights activists across the world,” President Banda said. “Further, details about the funeral and burial arrangements will be communicated periodically by Cabinet Office.”
And Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Joshua Kanganja announced that arrangements were already underway for Chiluba’s state funeral.
“Government is working closely with the family of the late president on the preparation of the funeral programme.
Cabinet Office will brief the nation on the details of the period of national mourning and other related matters soon. Consequently, mourners across the country should not travel to Lusaka until arrangements are finalised and a detailed programme is issued,” said Dr Kanganja.
And addressing the press earlier in the day, Chiluba’s spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba said the former president suffered from an unknown attack leading to his death at home in the early hour of Saturday.
Announcing Chiluba’s death at Belvedere Lodge in Lusaka, Mwamba said the former president’s personal physician Dr Justin Kangwa tried in vain to resuscitate him for ten minutes.
Mwamba explained that on Friday Chiluba had a normal day in his life and held meetings with his lawyers at 11:00 hours and another meeting with members of parliament from constituencies in Luapula Province at 16:00 hours for two hours.
Mwamba said Chiluba felt rather unwell after 18:30 hours when the members of parliament left. He later called for Dr Kangwa who arrived at 19:30hours.
Mwamba said this was not a unique call from Chiluba for Dr Kangwa, who has been his personal physician since 1994.
Mwamba said Dr Kangwa attended to Chiluba who indicated that he was feeling much better and asked his physician to leave and allow him to rest because his wife, Regina, who had been in Ndola, was on her way to back home.
“He was joking that ‘my doctor, go and rest’. But Dr Kangwa chose to stay and waited until Mrs Regina Chiluba arrived.
During this period, Dr Chiluba showed signs of improvement. He was taken from the living room to his bedroom,” Mwamba said. “When Mrs Chiluba arrived from Ndola at 23:30, everyone welcomed her. When they went to the bedroom, Dr Chiluba sat up from the bed because he was lying down and sat on the edge of the bed.”
He said Chiluba sat in that position for about 20 minutes.
“Then a few minutes before midnight, 10 minutes before midnight, Dr Chiluba suffered unknown attack. I am not a medical doctor so I don’t know what it is.
Frantically, Dr Kangwa tried to test him for his BP because he has all those machines at his home. Dr Kangwa got Dr Chiluba and lay him down on the bed.
He realised that Dr Chiluba was not breathing. He tried to resuscitate him for the next ten minutes, he performed CPR and he realised that Dr Chiluba had died. He declared Dr Chiluba dead at 00:05 hours on Saturday.”
Mwamba said Dr Charles Mwandame from the University Teaching Hospital was called in and he also confirmed that Chiluba had died, after which former first lady Vera Chiluba Tembo, the former president’s children and family as well as State House and senior government officials were informed.
“For the last six years, Dr Chiluba has been treated for a heart condition by specialist doctors from South Africa’s Garden City Clinic. He was last in South Africa last month, in May 2011, and stayed for treatment and observation (for) 20 days.
His doctors were satisfied with his progress. Back home he is monitored and observed by Dr Justin Kangwa,” Mwamba explained. “Dr Chiluba was born on 30th April 1943 and celebrated his 68th birthday while we were in South Africa.”
Mwamba said doctors in South Africa had told Chiluba to return there for review in three months but the former president said he would only go back after Zambia’s presidential and general elections.
He said Chiluba’s health had been very well of late.
“We are also inundated with calls from relatives, friends, and supporters from all over the country whether they should travel to Lusaka.
I will urge that we wait for further communication from government and the committee that is headed by defence minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa. Chiluba remains a property of the state and we will therefore wait for government to give details of the official funeral and burial programme,” Mwamba said.
He said Chiluba would be accorded a state funeral.
And responding to a question on whether Chiluba’s active participation in campaigns had affected his health leading to his death, Mwamba said that could not be the reason for his demise.
On whether Chiluba’s long running corruption trial soiled his legacy, Mwamba said there was no way his legacy could have been impaired by the graft allegations.
“He was president for 10 years; there were challenges he had but there are numerous achievements he made and posterity will record him as such,” Mwamba said.
FDD president Edith Nawakwi who served in several ministerial posts during Chiluba’s 10-year presidency, paid tribute to the former president, saying she and her party had received his passing on with shock. She said it was sad that Zambia had lost a sitting president Levy Mwanawasa and his predecessor, Chiluba within a space of two and half years.
“Those of us who worked with him will remember him as a person whom you could engage with at an intellectual level on national issues,” Nawakwi said. “He allowed us his ministers to advise him where necessary and gave us an opportunity to serve. He contributed to turning Zambia and Africa, in general, from Dark Age of one party state to where we are today.”
And the ZCTU expressed deep sorrow on the demise of Chiluba, who was its leader.
“ZCTU regrets that the nation has been robbed of both a gallant workers’ rights activist and a champion of democracy. Dr Chiluba will be remembered for having reintroduced multiparty democracy and revolutionized the spirit of workers’ struggle in the labour movement of Zambia,” the union mother body stated in a media release.
ZCTU appealed to Zambians to mourn Chiluba in a respectful manner and urged all political parties to put aside their political differences and preach unity.
At the funeral house, MMD Lusaka Province youth chairperson Chris Chalwe attacked politician Cosmo Mumba, warning that he would be killed if he attended the procession.
According to Mumba, Chalwe accused him of hating Chiluba and that he would not be allowed at the funeral. Mumba said Lusaka Province minister Charles Shawa had made threats against him.
Chiluba began his political career from the trade union where he rose to the position of chairman general president of the ZCTU. Using his ZCTU prominence, Chiluba was elected president of MMD and subsequently elected president of Zambia, taking over from Kenneth Kaunda in the 1991 elections.
Labels: FREDERICK CHILUBA, JOSHUA KANGANJA, RUPIAH BANDA, ZCTU
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It will be a close MMD, PF contest
By Patson Chilemba
Sun 24 Apr. 2011, 04:01 CAT
ZCTU says PF has made inroads into MMD's strongholds and the political contest in this year’s elections will be between them and the ruling party.
Zambia Congress of Trade Unions secretary general Roy Mwaba said the analysis from ZCTU’s research committee revealed that it would be a close contest between the PF and MMD. He said the PF had spread their tentacles.
“So it is logical just to conclude that the competition or the political battle in this year’s tripartite elections will be between the MMD and the PF. And what we are trying to say is that, it is going to be quite a close contest and I think for us as a Congress we have reached a situation whereby for the first time we are going to have a Parliament which is going to be very strong,” Mwaba said.
“The margin between the political party which is going to have the majority of the MPs and the one which will be a follow up won’t be very big, which means whichever government comes into power, it will be very difficult for them to pass bills.” Mwaba said the PF had gained popularity in some provinces where the party was previously not popular. He said places like Mporokoso which had been an MMD stronghold since 1991 was now under the control of the PF.
Mwaba said PF already had traditional strongholds such as the Copperbelt and Lusaka provinces.
“Now when we say the PF has made inroads, we are referring to some provinces where they were not popular but now this time they are popular. We are talking of the past experience like in Mporokoso where the MMD used to have a constituency. We have seen that the PF have grabbed that,” Mwaba said.
“We have seen that even in Kasama the PF fielded a candidate Kasama parliamentarian Geoffrey Bwalya Mwambwa who was not even from a political background, but he scooped the seat. From the last ward and parliamentary seats, we can say the PF has made inroads in some areas where the MMD used to have influence.”
Mwaba said the shooting down of the Constitution of Zambia Bill showed that the Zambian Parliament had matured in that they were now able to look at issues as they came.
He said ZCTU had finished scrutinising the manifestos of the main contenders in this year’s elections and would now scrutinise the candidates.
Mwaba said the ZCTU wanted to bring into government a leadership which had an agenda that was biased towards the workers and ensure the issue of poverty alleviation was closely attended to.
He said ZCTU wanted a leadership that was democratic, accountable on public resources and answerable to the people of Zambia.
“I am not afraid and ashamed to say that this time around when we find a political party that meets what I have just highlighted, we are going to tell our members ‘go and vote wisely for that political party that has got the heart for Zambian people’,” Mwaba said.
“We have already scrutinised manifestos and to us as a Congress what we have seen is like all the three major political parties are almost duplicates of what the other one has.”
Mwaba said both MMD and PF had adequately catered for the issue of social protection and social security which were previously not there in the manifestos.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, MMD, PF, ROY MWABA, ZCTU
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ZCTU backs PVT
By Moses Kuwema
Sat 09 Apr. 2011, 04:00 CAT
PARALLEL vote tabulation is a good election monitoring tool which can help remove current suspicions against the Electoral Commission of Zambia, says ZCTU.
During a briefing at their headquarters yesterday, following the consultative meeting that was held on Thursday with affiliates, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Leonard Hikaumba said the PVT system had been successfully used in other countries without any negative consequences such as violence and mistrust among the contending political parties.
“The consultative meeting with affiliates yesterday Thursday resolved that PVT is a good election monitoring tool but requires proper management and knowledge on its advantages by a all participants through effective dialogue. It is a very important election methodology which has been used in many countries including Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique and in Zambia it was used in 2008,” Hikaumba said.
He said PVT was an important monitoring tool that could help in the credibility of election results as it was intended to deter fraud in the electoral process.
And on the failed constitution bill, ZCTU and its affiliates resolved that the issue needed to be re-tabled in Parliament after six months, with the inclusion of contentious issues such as the 50 per cent plus one threshold for a winning candidate.
Labels: LEONARD HIKAUMBA, VOTERIGGING, ZCTU
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Arrest Shoprite managers for breaking the law - Shamenda
By Agness Changala
Sun 03 Apr. 2011, 04:01 CAT
SHOPRITE management should be arrested for breaking labour laws in the country, according to Fackson Shamenda. And Shoprite workers on Friday evening returned to work after assurances by management through the union that their grievances were being addressed and that the money they are owed will be paid.
Commenting on Shoprite management's attempt to fire all its striking unionised workers on Thursday, Shamenda, the former president of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions, said instead of attempting to dismiss workers, management should be arrested for failing to implement what is due to them.
He said it was unreasonable for Shoprite management to treat workers in the manner it did when they were only fighting for their rights.
Shamenda said it was further wrong for Shoprite management to attempt to fire unionised workers who were on strike for only four days when it had failed to address their grievances for a long time.
“Those issues started a long time ago and the workers have been patient enough and it is sad that the government which failed to condemn the strike at Electoral Commission of Zambia, a critical institution is now condemning the strike by Shoprite workers instead of siding with them, “Shamenda said.
He said it was sad that workers in Zambia were always at the receiving end because the government had decided to side with employers.
Shamenda said the bias of the government towards employers had even made it difficult for the union to be effective.
He charged that Shoprite was taking Zambians for granted by offering them poor conditions of service compared to their colleagues in South Africa.
Shamenda said if Shoprite has found it difficult to operate in Zambia, it must go and people will shop elsewhere.
And ZCTU public relations manager Martin Chembe said it was immoral for Shoprite management to threaten workers with dismissals at a time the meetings to resolve the matter were being held.
He said Shoprite management's action showed that it does not respect the labour laws governing industrial relations.
Chembe said the labour movement will not allow foreign investors to focus on profit maximisation without paying any attention to the welfare of workers.
“Workers should not be used as tools for production,” said Chembe.
Zambia National Youth League (ZNYL) president Eric Chanda said the MMD government has never taken interest in protecting the Zambian workers, especially the youths who are mistreated and abused.
He said youths must unite and demand a government that will protect the Zambian workers, and youths in particular.
Chanda said it was clear that MMD government had no political will and leadership capacity to protect the Zambian citizens and re-enforce the labour laws in the interest of Zambian citizens.
And the workers on Friday returned to work after four days of strike action.
According to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the union and Shoprite management, the company will by June 1, 2011 transfer to the credit of eligible employees, 50 per cent of their service benefits with interest and that the balance shall be transferred over a period of five years.
It stated that the balance to each participating individual in the Fund will be transferred in installments by September 1, 2012.
The union and Zambian managers for Shoprite agreed and accepted that the agreement constitutes a full and final settlement of all and any claims which it and its members and employees of the company may have concerning the past service liability K 16 billion.
On Monday last week, Shoprite workers across the country withdrew their labour over the long standing grievances regarding their K16 billion contributions which are supposed to be remitted to African Life Insurance.
Labels: FACKSON SHAMENDA, LABOUR, SHOPRITE, STRIKE, ZCTU
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Labour movement is toothless, says Lifuka
By Mwila Chansa in Kitwe
Thu 13 Jan. 2011, 04:01 CAT
THE labour movement in the country is toothless, says a former labour leader.
Evans Lifuka, the former Secondary Schools Teachers Union of Zambia (SESTUZ) Kitwe District chairman, said it would be very difficult for the rights of Zambian workers to be protected and respected because many union leaders were not in their positions to represent the workers’ interests.
“This is an apparent reference to the recent ZCTU quadrennial conference where Leonard Hikaumba was retained as president in undemocratic and suspicious circumstances,” Lifuka said.
“In unionism, no one is indispensible and the moment one thinks he is, it just shows that he is a bad leader because he is blocking and preventing other potential leaders who can perform better than him.”
Lifuka said some union leaders were worse than politicians in terms of greed and ended up serving two masters. He called for an end to what he termed Animal Farm treatment in the labour movement.
Lifuka also called for an immediate end to the ‘doctoring’ of the electoral college during elections in the labour movement.
Labels: EVANS LIFUKA, SESTUZ, ZCTU
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Tsvangirai apologises for bad-mouthing Sibanda
by Staff Reporter
29/08/2010 00:00:00
PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has described the acrimonious split of the MDC in 2005 as the “saddest part of his political life” and offered apologies for badmouthing the late Gibson Sibanda, his former trade union colleague of 25 years.
Tsvangirai was speaking at a memorial service held for Sibanda ahead of his burial in Bulawayo on Sunday. Sibanda, who was the vice president of the MDC-M faction, succumbed to cancer aged 66 last Monday night.
“The political developments in this country will never be the same again after the formation of the MDC but the saddest thing in my life is the split of the MDC.
“It represents the saddest part of my relationship with Sibanda,” Tsvangirai said.
The prime minister said Sibanda had provided “stability and guidance” in his personal and political life and offered apologies for speaking ill of his colleague in the wake of the MDC’s 2005 split.
“What we said after the split, I regret it. I am sorry Gibson for what we said at that moment, it was a moment of weakness and it was not worth it,” said an emotional Tsvangirai.
The two worked together in the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) where Sibanda was president and Tsvangirai the secretary general.
Sibanda agreed to step aside and allow Tsvangirai to become president of the MDC even though he had been interim leader of the party prior to its inaugural congress.
Welshman Ncube, the MDC-M secretary general says Sibanda took the request to step aside for Tsvangirai without any disappointment.
“Without any touch of disappointment and with wholesome respect for all those of us who had urged him to let Tsvangirai be president, Gibson closed the discussion and thanked us for our honest appraisal of the nature of Zimbabwe’s politics which dictated that even though he was the better candidate for president of the party we perceived that he could not lead us to victory in the elections,” Ncube wrote in his tribute to Sibanda.
But Sibanda was to lead the breakaway from the MDC following a bitter dispute over participation in the senatorial elections in 2005.
The party’s national executive had voted to participate in the elections but was overruled by Tsvangirai leading to the acrimonious fall-out.
Sibanda was buried in Bulawayo on Sunday after President Robert Mugabe refused a request to accord him national hero status.
He was only offered a state assisted funeral.
Labels: GIBSON SIBANDA, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, ZCTU
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ZCTU expresses fears of abuse of funds at NAPSA
By Kombe Chimpinde
Tue 24 Aug. 2010, 14:10 CAT
The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has demanded an immediate explanation on why government has allowed National Pensions Scheme Agency (NAPSA) to operate without a board for months now a development that pension holders fear possible abuse of funds as the country heads towards general elections next year.
And Patriotic Front has lashed out at what it has termed the “continuous open abuse of public funds” by government through one of the country’s biggest public institutions NAPSA which has been operating without a board.
In an interview with Post online first vice-president of ZCTU Sam Phiri said that government must give the nation an immediate explanation on its position as regards NAPSA.
“The anomaly is serious and it threatens the transparency and accountability of the institution (NAPSA) which acts as a bank for the vulnerable group in society,” he said.
“I can tell you right now that the role that NAPSA has been playing in the recent past, only a few people are being serviced, most of the people who have retired have not been paid up to now. NAPSA currently is not something that we can proudly talk about as it has lacked accountability, sustainability and transparency even when it had a board. Now imagine it operating without a board,” he charged.
Phiri said the matter was very serious and that government must explain this irregularity immediately.
The trade union has also castigated governments for its tendency of muzzling the independence of parastatals for political manipulation.
“There is a very serious tendency by government to muzzle independence of running boards of institutions for political interests. The governance of the system has become questionable. There is serious political interference which has a negative and retrogressive bearing on the economic performance. Someone ought to explain,” he said.
“As ZCTU we are sad on behalf of the majority vulnerable workers who are saving their pensions with the fund.”
And PF spokesperson Given Lubinda noted that government’s delay in appointing a board at NAPSA is a plot to loot the country’s pensions fund ahead of the election and make the institutions open to all sorts of corruption and nepotism.
“The government of Rupiah Banda does not respect systems of law. Right now NAPSA is not the only institution that is operating without a board. The case is the same with the Independent Broadcasting Authority which is totally against the provisions of the law,” Lubinda charged.
“This is Rupiah Banda government is a government that thrives on corruption, a regime that survives on anarchy.”
Lubinda, who is also Kabwata member of parliament noted that the move taken by it is not shock that by this move as it is another channel to amass public fund.
“Same situation with TAZARA railway where Rupiah Banda has decided to appoint a cadre to run, so that they can easily employ their relatives that they wish to,” he said.
He said according to government it is a must that that boards of parastatals are run by boards and not the minister through ministries. The move by government is a ploy by government to abuse the funds as they please.
“I have stated before that these illegalities will catch up with those who in government,” he warned.
There has been apprehension at NAPSA where workers have expressed worry about the direct control of the fund by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security since the board was dissolved.
They said they were growing fears that government may interfere with pensioners funds ahead of the general elections next year.
Labels: CORRUPTION, GIVEN LUBINDA, NAPSA, SAM PHIRI, ZCTU
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ZCTU blames govt for poor performance of labour movement
By Agness Changala
Sun 22 Aug. 2010, 04:00 CAT
ZAMBIA Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) secretary general Roy Mwaba has blamed the MMD government for the poor performance of the labour movement in the country. Mwaba said in an interview that the problems being experienced in the labour movement were as a result of the government’s failure to manage issues of labour and lack of implementation of the existing laws and policies.
He said the government was deliberately causing problems so that union affiliates could rebel against their union leaders. Mwaba said funding to the labour ministry was nothing to talk about because the government did not attach any importance to it.
He said the ministry was also incapacitated to carry out its duties because of the shortage of inspectors.
Mwaba said there were several workers who were suffering because their employers had ignored issues of safety and health while the government remained mute.
He said it was common knowledge that people no longer had the desire to belong to the labour movement because they felt that they were not well represented.
“While there’s some element of truth in that the congress is not serving the aspirations and expectations of the workers, my appeal is to go to the drawing board,” he said. “What has caused this and not just condemnation of what caused the mess.”
Mwaba admitted that ZCTU was not as vibrant as it used to be 10-15 years ago.
He said the affiliates were partially to blame for the dormancy of ZCTU because the leadership came from the same people.
Mwaba said it was important that affiliates were part of the solution to the problems because they were responsible for the strengths and failures.
He said the labour movement must unite, work together and come up with a formidable leadership that is not just emotional.
However, Mwaba said he had taken up the full responsibility of the problems facing the labour movement as chief executive officer.
“I accept the blame. But we must do self-surgery and ensure that people that are speaking do their homework, “he said. “Clean their bedrooms and they must not wash dirty linen in public.”
He said it was difficult to be a union leader because whenever they criticized the government, they were perceived to be opposition sympathisers and vice versa.
And Mwaba asked the government to be transparent when bringing investors in the country.
He said the government’s failure to involve the labour movement always showed that they had something to hide.
“They should become more transparent and ensure that they involve the labour movement,” he said.
Mwaba said for the government to avoid problems, they must involve the labour movement at every stage of development.
He said the government knew that the labour movement was a key stakeholder in the economic, political and development of any country but deliberately excluded them.
“And when they want to implement, they want to bring them on board. No! There must be ownership, there should be nothing happening in the mines without the Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ),” he said.
“And the other unions, they must be involved because if they don’t get them involved how do they expect them to implement wholeheartedly?”
Mwaba observed that whenever President Rupiah Banda travelled out to look for investors, he did not have people from the union in his entourage.
Mwaba said he would join Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) workers on the Copperbelt in their planned peaceful protest as a show of solidarity.
He said the decision for the members to protest was just and he advised them to obtain a police permit.
“I am joining in the peaceful demonstration, ZCTU will join through me as a way to show solidarity,” he said.
Mwaba said the mineworkers should go ahead because dialogue with the government had failed.
He observed that Zambian workers were frustrated and because the government was not doing anything about it, they would have to look to God for redemption.
Mwaba said the workers were now resorting to demonstrations because they had no other options.
Labels: LABOUR, ROY MWABA, ZCTU
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ZCTU blames govt for poor performance of labour movement
By Agness Changala
Sun 22 Aug. 2010, 04:00 CAT
ZAMBIA Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) secretary general Roy Mwaba has blamed the MMD government for the poor performance of the labour movement in the country.
Mwaba said in an interview that the problems being experienced in the labour movement were as a result of the government’s failure to manage issues of labour and lack of implementation of the existing laws and policies.
He said the government was deliberately causing problems so that union affiliates could rebel against their union leaders.
Mwaba said funding to the labour ministry was nothing to talk about because the government did not attach any importance to it.
He said the ministry was also incapacitated to carry out its duties because of the shortage of inspectors. Mwaba said there were several workers who were suffering because their employers had ignored issues of safety and health while the government remained mute.
He said it was common knowledge that people no longer had the desire to belong to the labour movement because they felt that they were not well represented.
“While there’s some element of truth in that the congress is not serving the aspirations and expectations of the workers, my appeal is to go to the drawing board,” he said. “What has caused this and not just condemnation of what caused the mess.”
Mwaba admitted that ZCTU was not as vibrant as it used to be 10-15 years ago.
He said the affiliates were partially to blame for the dormancy of ZCTU because the leadership came from the same people.
Mwaba said it was important that affiliates were part of the solution to the problems because they were responsible for the strengths and failures.
He said the labour movement must unite, work together and come up with a formidable leadership that is not just emotional.
However, Mwaba said he had taken up the full responsibility of the problems facing the labour movement as chief executive officer.
“I accept the blame. But we must do self-surgery and ensure that people that are speaking do their homework, “he said. “Clean their bedrooms and they must not wash dirty linen in public.”
He said it was difficult to be a union leader because whenever they criticized the government, they were perceived to be opposition sympathisers and vice versa.
And Mwaba asked the government to be transparent when bringing investors in the country.
He said the government’s failure to involve the labour movement always showed that they had something to hide.
“They should become more transparent and ensure that they involve the labour movement,” he said.
Mwaba said for the government to avoid problems, they must involve the labour movement at every stage of development.
He said the government knew that the labour movement was a key stakeholder in the economic, political and development of any country but deliberately excluded them.
“And when they want to implement, they want to bring them on board. No! There must be ownership, there should be nothing happening in the mines without the Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ),” he said.
“And the other unions, they must be involved because if they don’t get them involved how do they expect them to implement wholeheartedly?”
Mwaba observed that whenever President Rupiah Banda travelled out to look for investors, he did not have people from the union in his entourage.
Mwaba said he would join Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) workers on the Copperbelt in their planned peaceful protest as a show of solidarity.
He said the decision for the members to protest was just and he advised them to obtain a police permit.
“I am joining in the peaceful demonstration, ZCTU will join through me as a way to show solidarity,” he said.
Mwaba said the mineworkers should go ahead because dialogue with the government had failed.
He observed that Zambian workers were frustrated and because the government was not doing anything about it, they would have to look to God for redemption.
Mwaba said the workers were now resorting to demonstrations because they had no other options.
Labels: ROY MWABA, ZCTU
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