RETIREMENTPOLITICAL POWER BENEFITS,IS NOT ALL THEREJOB CREATIONIS; THERE ARE MANY OTHER WAYS OF SERVING HUMANITY AND ECONOMIC REVIVAL IN A PANDEMIC
order and Congress went on to confirm Joe Biden’s presidency. He remains to be inaugurated on One January of the 20, 2021. challenges that the What change are of the retirement lessons from age from this November 55 to 60 years 3, 2020 entailed to 6th was or holding even January back retirement 20, 2021 political for five years turmoil for in workers the USA? who Many should lesotherwise sons can have be picked retired both and in been the paid US and off the and rest replaced of the world, by new esworkers. pecially in societies that uphold democracy. This matter has brought a window of opportunity for Zam
The key lesson I have learnt bia to resolve a long standing difrom all this is that political lemma of how to pay off retired power is not all there is in life in public servants, create jobs for so the many service of of our one’s youths nation. and There in turn are revive thousands the economy. other ways of serving A key humanity factor that without motivated havthe ing state to sacrifice to increase innocent the retirelives ment and jeopardising age was to open law and a moraorder torium and peace window and security. during which to There mobilise are other resources ways of to servpay off ing the society huge backlog without of having retirees to inherited set institutions from the of previous governance administration ablaze; without in having 2011. Unfortuto sacrinately fice peace, this has unity, not democracy, materialised. citInstead izens’ security a mountain and international of unpaid retirement relations. benefits has accumulated. It is a great Remember, lesson to a bear douin ble-edged mind the sword fact that was before created you, by popular there were acclaim leaders, among and after workyou ers, there labour will still unions be leaders. and We others are when God’s the creation Zambian who Parliament, can be here riding today on and the no popularity more tomorrow! among workers Life does and labour not revolve unions, around had accepted us as individuals, a clause but in around the 2016 all Constitution, of us as collectives. of retaining Alone we are retirees nothing, on the but with payroll others until we their are benefits a force to had reckon been with. paid.
This retention on the payroll and other employers have to pay two salaries for one job for as long as retirees’ benefits remain unpaid; that is one salary for the retiree and another salary for the job holder! This, coupled with the nation’s mounting external debt obligations, has put the state in a dilemma.
The onset of Covid-19 in Zambia in mid-March has left Zambia’s labour landscape in a helpless situation of sorts. Therefore, it is imperative to pose the inevitable questions; what is the way forward? How does Zambia get out of this entanglement?
Firstly, The wise it is say important “I am because to note that we are.” the You situation need others is not to be irrea deemable; complete human it can person; be salvaged. withSeveral out others permutations you are nothing! can Even be looked to boast at or to brag create about a win-win your exsituation ploits or for successes all – retirees, you need the govan ernment, audience to unemployed spectate your youths bragand ging. the nation at large! How can this Even be achieved? to flaunt your wealth requires First others and foremost, to either applaud the government you and your should wealth see paying or to disoff retirees prove and from even the scorn perspective you if such of killing wealth several is ill-gotten. birds with a stone, and Indeed, as a major the greatest stimulus democpackage racy for on the earth retirees has to gone turn down their benefits the annals into of history investible as a nation capital to where play a handful pivotal role of misguided in reviving the citizens Covid-19-ravaged urged on by one economy Donald quickly. J. Trump, There outgoing are President three possiof ble sources to finance the retire
the United States, almost squandered America’s long cherished democratic budget by sacrificing credentials some and incapternational ital projects; leadership.
Seeing The government mobs, some can armed, apstorm proach Capitol some Hill, local enter pension the Congress houses for building, a loan and to finance even hold this; law or makers The government and the Vice can President approach of the some US under international siege, is cooperating the highest partners disorder for the a USA grant could or a soft suffer loan in present specifically times. to sort out Yet, this this problem. was incensed publicly Several by their years own President, ago, Tanzania the same owed person its workers who in four public years instiearlier tutions had colossal sworn sums to uphold of money. the American The Tanzanian constitution. government of President For a President Josiah of Kikwete the Unitbored rowed States US$100 of America million to from incite the an World attempted Bank and overthrow paid off of all a its workers in public learning in
democratic system that he was presiding upon speaks volumes about that the Zambia person. can accrue from
clearing The horrific retirees pictures on the of public the Trumpist service payroll: men and women blatantly It launching will save a resources “deadly insur– from rection,” paying a two police people officer for pressed one job to between paying only glass one doors person pleading for that for job; mercy, and other such despicable The acts freed should resources never happen can be again. used to employ fresh graduates
from Many colleges insurrectionists and universities have been without arrested; injecting some have fresh even funds taken into their the payroll; own lives, thus and reducing the Congress the current has high moved unemployment a motion of among Impeachment Zambian against youths the curoutgoing rently roaming President, the streets; Donald J. Trump, Thousands a few days of jobs before will also the be inauguration created as many of President-elect retirees will in
vest their retirement benefits in
Joe Biden. This depicts the gravity of the present American situation.
Back home in Zambia, our political leaders need to take a leaf from the American fracture of democracy, incited by their own President. Our leaders should learn that the route to political power is not an easy one; it is fraught with obstacles, challenges, trials and impediments which only a few overcome. The rest (or are made to) entangle themselves, stumble and fail to cross into the promised land.
As citizens we also need to differentiate power-hungry citizens who seek or hold power for its own sake, or even for the sake of trampling upon their own people, will invest from in genuine stocks on leaders. the LusaUnfortunately, ka Stock Exchange realisation (LuSE). of a This type will of increase leadership the that buying citizens power, have expand put in the office, national like in the tax US base now, and often boost comes national very late! economic
Sometimes performance. it even comes when Inevitably, it is too late these to do benefits anything will about translate it; but into they a say feel-good better late factor than and never! a win-win We need situation to gauge for the the whole words, nation. the deeds, the mannerisms As Indian and the author, approach activist, of mothose tivational who seek speaker political and leaderfounder ship of in Country our land. First Foundation,
Political Shiv Khera, leadership writes: is not “Winners all there see is the in gain; life for losers one see to the serve pain” the and nation, “winners there don’t are thousands do different other things, ways they of serving do things Zambia! differently,” we can derive good mileage out of an otherwise hopeless situation!