MINISTER SLAMS INEPT HR PRACTITIONERS
LABOUR and Social Security Minister Joyce Simukoko has castigated some human re- source practitioners for failing to act as mediators between managers and workers as well as protecting workers’ interests.
Ms Simukoko has observed that it was sad that some human resource personnel had taken the role of capitalists. This behaviour had left many employees crying and complaining of poor working conditions coupled with an unclean environment.
Ms Simukoko said that it was the desire of every worker to work in a clean and conducive environment not just for managers and directors.
She was speaking at the general meeting for the Zambia Institute of Human Resources Management (ZIHRM) at Chrismar Hotel in Livingstone on Tuesday.
“Your role as human resources is very important because you hold human capital in your hands, but you underrate yourselves… the question is why are workers crying in this country?” she wondered.
“The issue of sharping the tool is what we need to do as human resource personnel. The country has gone liberal from one party state, so, you as human resource personnel must play the role of mediators when workers are crying not government,” she said.
Ms Simukoko charged that the issue of sharping the tool for both human resource personnel and workers must be doubled because capitalists (investors) want to suppress the weak, who mainly are the common workers.
“As HRs, if you want to ignore your role and rights, then they (capitalists) will make profit because that is their interest… You should learn to speak on behalf your fellow workers don’t be scared of being fired,” she said. The minister said that this attitude and scenario must change.
She said the ministry would soon embark on countrywide inspections to assess the environment in which workers were working in.
Speaking at the same event ZIHRM president Mooka Silumbu observed that the institute would continue making itself visible, advising government on appropriate matters and remain professional.