Economic saboteurs will not be tolerated
Dear Editor,
IT is very unfortunate that some trade associations claiming to represent the interests of their members are trying so hard to overstate their importance by calling on their members to stage illegal work stoppages, go slows and demonstrations that border on economic sabotage.
The call by the Customs Clearing Freight Forwarding Agents Association of Zambia for its members to demonstrate against the Zambia Revenue Authority and down their tools is an attempt at holding government to ransom.
As Lusaka Province Minister, a province that hosts one of the busiest border points in the country, Chirundu, I wish to warn the association to desist from antagonizing ZRA and carrying actions that are tantamount to economic sabotage.
In this Covid pandemic era when most businesses are struggling, it is inconceivable how an association could even think of frustrating revenue collection targets set by the ZRA.
There is need for a smooth flow of business at Chirundu and all the border points to guarantee revenue collection which is key for public service provision.
I wish to encourage Mr Bruce Kaemba, the chairman of the association to get back to the negotiation table. I believe that there is no dispute that cannot be resolved on a round table. The ZRA Commissioner General Mr Kingsley Chanda has always operated an open door policy and is ready to listen to the grievances, if any.
As government, we reserve the right to deregister any organisation that seeks to cause anarchy and disrupt the economy.