Union leaders urged to speak for workers
GOVERNMENT has called on trade unions to rise above their differences and divisions and focus on securing decent terms and conditions for workers.
Local Government and Rural Development Minister Garry Nkombo says government’s desire is for the labour movement to speak with one strong voice for the welfare of employees.
Speaking when he officiated at the 2022 Labour Day Celebration in Mazabuka, Mr. Nkombo said government encouraged social dialogue focused on enhancing workers’ rights.
Mr. Nkombo said in line with the theme, government is set to positively reposition the socio-economic circumstances of all Zambians amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
“A favourable national economic status entails citizens having access to high quality education, adequate health care, improved income and possibilities for decent work,” he said.
And Mr Nkombo also noted that the cost of living is high and nearly unbearable, adding that the unemployed are the most affected.
Mr. Nkombo said the current state of affairs could only be addressed through economic transformation and this was one of the reasons government was trying to build an entrepreneurial society.
Speaking earlier, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) representative Peter Mwale, said the national economy contracted during the outbreak of COVID-19 and many people lost their jobs, while the country experienced low productivity.
Mr. Mwale said government could attain economic transformation by capitalizing on policies such as decentralization, social protection and industrialization among others.
He further added that the weakening Kwacha against the United States Dollar was worrying as it negatively affected the running of businesses,
and pushed the prices of various products up.
Mr. Mwale also called on government to stop deducting funds from formal sector workers to finance the operations of the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA) scheme.
“We urge the government to look for alternative sources of funding to finance the operations of NHIMA as workers in formal employment are overtaxed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE), Representative Lase Banda commended government for launching the Public Private Dialogue Forum with the aim of accelerating economic growth and job creation.
“We strongly believe that through this forum and with enhanced dialogue through the private sector and the government, public private partnerships in investment opportunities will unlock the country’s potential natural resource endowment,” she said.