Stop it, ZCTU tells Labour Minister
By NATION REPORTER GOVERNMENT should stop harassing and threatening the labour movement in Zambia with de-registration for their legitimate activities or risk being reported to the International Labour Committee on Application of Standards, the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has warned.
And government says it will not hesitate to deregister unions that were not only politically inclined but had also failed to submit audited accounts in line with the Industrial and Labour Relations Act Section 21.
Speaking during the Regional Human and Trade Union Rights preparatory meeting for the 2018 International Labour conference themed ‘Prioritising Human and Trade Union Rights’ in Chisamba district yesterday, ZCTU presidentctold off government to stop threatening the unions with deregistration.
Mr Nkole noted with sadness that government had threatened National Road Sector Agencies and Allied Workers Union of Zambia, Copperbelt University and Allied Workers Union, as well as the Crew and Allied Workers Union of Zambia that represented workers at TAZARA with deregistration.
Mr Nkole said the Labour movement was concerned with the current trend where a number of unions had been threatened with deregistration, saying that violates the principles of freedom of association enshrined in the fundamental conventions.
“It is not our pleasure to report government to the committee on the application of standard regarding violation of Trade union rights. However, we are particularly concerned that the current trend where a number of unions have been threatened with deregistration citing various reasons under your administration is unprecedented and is a cause for concern,” Mr Nkole told Minister of Labour and Social Security Joyce-Nonde Simukoko.
Mr Nkole also said there was need for a tripartite dialogue between government and the unions to iron out the misunderstanding.
Mr Nkole said government should not be antagonistic and personal with the unions but amicably engage the union leaders to resolve labour issues.
He observed that lack of meaningful dialogue had led to unnecessary suspicions and mistrust between government and the unions.
In response, Ms Nonde- Simukoko who graced the event maintained her warning to unions misapplying workers’ funds saying government will not allow perpetrators that were misapplying funds meant for workers.
She said it was disappointing that some unions had failed to submit audited accounts in line with the Industrial and Labour Relations Act despite being given enough time.
She said her Ministry would not allow the union leaders to exploit their workers adding that all unions should conduct forensic audits failure to which they would be deregistered.