Too many trade unions, says ex unionist

TOO many trade unions in one industry has killed unionism in the country, a former trade unionist Lishomwa Nalishua has said.

Mr. Nalishua said most trade unions were promoting their own interests than interests of workers.

In an interview, Mr. Nalishua said trade unions have displayed their weaknesses by working in fragmentation and having different agendas. Mr. Nalishua, who is former Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) Mkushi district secretary said because of many unions in one industry, for instance the teaching profession, it becomes difficult to bargain and convince government on wage increments.

He said when it was time to bargain with the government, different unions present different percentages of salary increment hence it becomes difficult to bargain.

Mr. Nalishua noted that in the olden days it was easy to bargain with Government because unionists were speaking one language with the same objectives as compared to today’s unionism.

He added that it was mandatory to increase workers’ salaries yearly whether negotiations succeeded or not and in an event that negotiations succeeded, the increment was far better than expected.

And Mr Nalishua also said there were trade unionists who were still at the helm of leadership and clinging to power for over 20 years instead of stepping down for others to take over.

“These union officials are getting hefty salaries and other fringe benefits almost close to ministers’ emoluments. So, that is why others around them admire that if these are enjoying perpetually, they should also create their own organisations where they can enjoy as long as they live,” he said.

Mr. Nalishua added that union leaders should have defined terms to hold office after which they should retire and leave office.