CBU union ban slammed

By BENNIE MUNDANDO THE labour commissioner’s decision to deregister Copperbelt University Academic and Staff Union must be reversed immediately because it is unreasonable, former National Energy Sector and Allied Workers Union (NESAWU) general secretary Yotam Mtayachalo has charged.

Mr. Mtayachalo told the Daily Nation yesterday that the labour commissioners’ decision, which arose from the tiff between three CBU unions and vice chancellor Professor Naison Ngoma, must be reversed immediately because it violated section 5 of the Industrial and Labour Relations Act, Cap 269 of the Laws of Zambia.

“The decision by the labour commissioner is unfortunate and unreasonable. Such a decision is undemocratic, retrogressive and not in public interest. “This is in violation of section 5 of the Industrial and Labour Relations Act, Cap 269 of the Laws of Zambia, the republican constitution and ILO (International Labour Organisation) Convention 87 to which Zambia is a signatory. It is a gross infringement on workers and must be reversed without delay to promote industrial harmony at the institution,” Mr. Mtayachalo demanded.

He said as a former unionist, he did not believe that the impasse at CBU could be resolved through draconian measures. He advised the parties involved to use dialogue to find an amicable and long lasting solution to the dispute because the stand-off had greatly affected CBU’s academic calendar. Mr. Mtayachalo blamed government for failing to provide leadership over the CBU impasse.

He said Prof. Ngoma must be relieved of his duties because it was not possible that he was always right in the number of instances he had differed with various sections of CBU.

“Government should act quickly and relieve Prof. Ngoma of his duties…the institution is bigger than an individual. If government thinks he is indispensable, let them find him something else to do.

“Parents are paying a lot of money for their children and as such the continued disruption of the university calendar is costly and a serious setback. I want to appeal to ZCTU (Zambia Congress of Trade Unions) and its affiliates to take keen interest in events at CBU and offer solidarity to their colleagues so that the labour commissioner can withdraw that notice of deregistration unconditionally without further delay,” he said.

He advised the union to take legal action if dialogue failed to stay the notice of deregistration, which entailed that once the 90-day period expired, the union shall cease to exist in Zambia.