SATURNIA IMPOSED ON ZCAS EMPLOYEES
... since 2017, ZCAS University employees have been enduring an unwanted second pension contribution
ZCAS employees have complained that Saturnia Regna Pension Fund has been imposed on them as a second pension scheme in unexplained circumstances despite already being covered by the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA).
Some sources who spoke to the Daily Nation on condition of anonymity explained that since 2017, ZCAS University employees have been enduring an unwanted second pension contribution managed by Saturnia, which was illegally and mandatory imposed on them by the former board and former senior management who were at the institution at the time. Sources explained that the Saturnia scheme was in addition to the progressive and well-managed statutory pension scheme managed by NAPSA.
It is believed that Saturnia was single-sourced without following laid down tender procedures, given that ZCAS is a Government institution that should adhere to the Zambia Public Procurement Act of 2008.
The sources said it is also alleged that Saturnia was corruptly sourced without due involvement of employees.
“It is shrouded in secrecy why former management opted to appoint a second pension fund that is alleged to have defrauded over 270 former BP employees, why they opted for a private Saturnia pension fund at the expense of properly run Parastatal Pension schemes like ZSIC and others, and why the Saturnia Pension subscription was not made voluntary to ZCAS employees.
“We don’t know why the former management opted for a pension fund that is alleged to have no corporate legal personality, meaning the corporate cannot to be sued as it is allegedly to be fictitious,” one of the sources said.
Meanwhile, some insiders explained that the reversal of some inhumane policies introduced by the former board and former management was delayed because the institution is running without a board.
“It is understood that the university has had no board meeting for over six months because there is no board and this is hampering strategic policy formulation.
The imposing of Saturnia Pension Scheme which has significantly high monthly contributions as compared to NAPSA puts undue financial distress on employees. “The giving of lecturers one year contracts, which stands in stark contrast with the current Government’s anti-casualisation policy are among many problems left by the previous board.
Moreover, it is the desire for government to have permanent and pensionable jobs for high learning institutions,” the source said.
It is understood that the university has had no board meeting for over six months because there is no board and this is hampering strategic policy formulation.