TAZARA WORKERS’ STRIKE LOOMS

…Tazara workers cry for five months’ salary arrears

WORKER'S

Union of Tazara (WUTAZ) has warned of imminent protests and strikes anytime if workers are not paid their five- month salary arrears.

WUTAZ president Bedwin Mulowa said industrial harmony at Tazania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) was not guaranteed until the plight of workers was addressed.

Mr Mulowa appealed to Government to intervene and ensure that workers were paid their dues, warning that there could be protests anytime.

Mr Mulowa said Tazara workers on the Zambia region had not been paid their salaries since July, this year.

"Industrial harmony is not guaranteed, there can be protests anytime because workers are going through a lot , they cannot even pay for their children's school fees," he said.

Mr Mulowa said it was unfortunate that workers had gone for months without pay despite Finance Minister Bwalya Ng'andu and his Transport counterpart, Mutotwe Kafwaya, promising to liquidate the salary arrears for workers.

Mr Mulowa said it had been a challenge for Tazara management to liquidate all the salary arrears.

"Finance Minister and his transport counterpart during the by elections in Kasama promised that Government will clear the backlog of salary arrears for Tazara workers and we appeal that this promise is fulfilled otherwise industrial harmony is not guaranteed," Mr Mulowa said. He said workers are facing a lot of challenges to sustain their livelihoods due to non-payment of salary arrears.

Mr Mulowa said there could be protests if workers were not paid their dues.

He said Tazara currently does not have capacity to pay worker's salaries therefore there was need for government to take over the payment of salaries until it was fully re-capitilised.

Mr Mulowa said it was important for the Zambian Government to emulate Tanzania, which had taken over payment of salaries.