Govt warns abusive employers

GOVERNMENT has threatened to deport any foreign employer who does not respect the country's labour laws and mistreats workers.

Labour and Social Security Minister Joyce Nonde Simukoko has disclosed that her ministry has been receiving disturbing reports about some foreign employers that are in the habit of beating, insulting and locking up workers for unknown reasons.

Ms. Simukoko said that no employer operating in Zambia has the right to insult or beat up any worker for any reason.

She said that this scenario was common among foreign investors , the situation she said is unacceptable.

The minister said that government will not hesitate to deport such employers.

"There are laws in this country, how can a worker work in horror situation where an employer can insult, beat up a worker or lock them up..you can only lock up workers if there is an emergency and there is an exit point," she said.

"No employer has the right to insult or beat a worker.. This government will not hesitate to deport such employees. This is common among foreign investors," said Ms Simukoko.

Ms. Simukoko warned employers that government will not take kindly to such defaulters.

She disclosed that the ministry is investigating such cases and would soon move in.

Ms. Simukoko was also quick to call on labour inspectors in her ministry to rise up and do their job.

She said that the reason why they are employed as labour inspectors is to help government monitor

much cases and also conduct inspections to in their areas and make reports of any kind.

The minister was speaking in Livingstone on Tuesday during the official opening of the 2017 national labour officers'c conference held at Chrismar Hotel.