Stop quarantines, State warns employers

GOVERNMENT has warned of stern action against foreign employers who have continued to quarantine workers.

Minister of Labour and Social Security

Joyce Simukoko said the government does not expect any employer to quarantine workers.

The minister indicated that all those who were involved in such actions were doing it illegally and the law would take its course.

She said that workers cannot be quarantined for many months against their wish.

Ms Simukoko was reacting to revelations that the contractor working on the Kafue Gorge Lower Hydroelectric Power Station had quarantined Zambian workers and they had no access to obtain the voter’s cards.

But Ms Simukoko said the action was illegal and the government would not entertain it.

The minister assured the nation that Labour Inspectors from the ministry would soon be sent to the construction site and the contractor should show cause as to why action should not be taken against him.

Ms Simukoko said workers cannot be subjected to such harsh conditions because they had families and moreover they need to exercise their right by obtaining voter’s cards to participate in the forthcoming general elections.

Ms Simukoko also appealed to the public to ensure that they reported to the ministry whether such incidences were happening in other parts of the country.

“I am urging the general public to alert my ministry whenever they see such kind of incidences and we shall ensure that we pounce on the employers who are involved,” she said.