HOLD YOUR FIRE, AGGRIEVED WORKERS URGED

NATIONAL Energy Sector and Allied Workers Union (NESAWU) has called for calm among its members who were unfairly separat ed from Zesco during the Patriotic Front (PF) regime on different grounds.

Acting Secretary General Clark Siankulu has also ex pressed hope that the UPND administration will deal with issues of intimidation among workers which it feels brings down productivity among employees.

Mr Siankulu disclosed to the Daily Nation that the pro cess to scrutinize the genuine members who were unfairly treated has started and that so far management and the

Saturday Union leaders were 25 cooperat April,

ing well.

"You are very much aware that we had a press briefing in Ndola where we called for the reinstatement of the work force that was separated from the company, Zesco. From that time, we have been en gaging management to find a lasting solution for our mem bers who were separated. I must mention that as a Union, we have enjoyed a cordial en gagement with management," he said.

"As we speak, I will tell you that some have come back and we are still making headways that a good number can come back," he said.

"One would ask that why has this process taken long…I will tell you that it is our de sire that these issues are re solved as soon as possible but unfortunately lack of honest from our members who were affected. That is the one rea son which caused a sought of deployments," he disclosed.

He said that some of the people that were separated from the company had ap plied for early retirement, others unlawful dismissals while some were separated on disciplinary actions meaning that there is need for serious scrutiny.

The NESAWU acting gen eral secretary explained that the during the PF regime most people did not see the UPND winning the election hence they started writing early re tirements and now after see ing that President Hakainde Hichilema has won, those who requested for early retire ment are also bringing their papers to say that they were unfairly dismissed.

"So such kind of un-honest behaviour is the one that is causing the delays despite us wanting to move faster. We also have people that were dismissed on disciplinary charges and now that the UPND has formed govern ment, they have also come with their letter saying they were separated which is not true," he said.

He added," So now the job that is there is, we are making sure that we are scrutinizing the same members on the list that we have to know wheth er they are genuine members or not…are these people that requested for voluntary sepa ration or they were dismissed on disciplinary charges."

"So as a Union, we appeal for calmness from our gener al members, we are doing our level best because our job is to fight for their social justice," he said.

He said that as NESAWU, the labour movement will al ways stand and protect the in terest of the workers who are their members.

NESAWU Provincial Coordinator for Eastern Province Davison Chapula also asked all unionised work ers in Zesco to be patient and not to use the Union like a po litical party, when negotiating for what happened.