`Safeguard jobs in communication sectors`

PEOPLE working in the telecommunication industry are at risk of losing jobs because of the reduction in the cost of data in Zambia, Alliance for Luapula Young Entrepreneurs (ALYE) has charged.

,n an interview yesterday, $/<E E[ecutive 'irector, Edwin 1yirongo said the increased number of internet service providers in the country had resulted in the reduction of cost of data.

The ministry of Transport and &ommunication recently attributed the reduction to measures government has put in place to address the cost of transport and communication in the country.

%ut 0r 1yirongo feared that the development might put several jobs in the industry at stake.

“:hile many internet users in Zambia are celebrating the reduction of the price of data, some of people might begin to pay the price,´ he said.

+e said measures must be put in place to safeguard the inter- ests of both the consumers and service providers.

0r 1yirongo stressed the need to initiate measures that would ensure that jobs were protected.

“:e don’t e[pect to see our brothers and sisters working in this critical sector to be negatively affected by this development. $s $/<E we are of the view that as government is trying to play its role of addressing the cost of communication in the country, it should also appreciate challenges these service providers are facing.

“,t’s a fact that the cost of doing business in Zambia is still high. :e don’t want to see a situation where companies begin to operate on loss because of aspects like high ta[es and bad business environment,´ 0r 1yirongo said.