Renegade truck drivers disowned

WE are not part of truck drivers who are planning a countrywide strike, Zambia Union of Tanker Drivers vice president Vincent Shamilimo has said.

Mr Shamilimo said the union was surprised that there was an association called Professional Truck Drivers which was planning a countrywide strike.

He said their members had no reason to strike as there was no dispute with Government or employers, hence it was not part of the group.

Mr Shamilimo said the Ministry of Labour and Social Security should not entertain individuals who claimed to belong to the Truck Drivers Association.

"We are surprised that there is a group called Professional Drivers Association, we are not part of it because we have no dispute with Government.

"The Minister of Labour has been entertaining anyone hence they are causing trouble. Otherwise we are not part of what other drivers are planning because we don't see it as fruitful to strike," he said.

Recently, Labour Minister Joyce Simukoko warned drivers against inciting other drivers in the road transport sector to stage a countrywide strike.

Ms Simukoko said that Government would not tolerate drivers calling themselves as professional drivers who were planning to stage a countrywide strike on October 19.

She said the government is not in support of the action because it is not supported by the law especially sections 75 to 78 of the Industrial and Labour Relations Act Cap 269 of the laws of Zambia.

She said the law clearly provided the procedure that must be followed before a strike action or work stoppage could be undertaken.