Lungu decries low productivity

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has challenged the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management (ZIHRM) to explain why it is that Zambian workers are not the most productive in the region.

The President said ZIHRM should suggest what should be done at human resource management level in order to ensure that there was productivity at individual and national level.

He said that ZIHRM was one of the nation's strategic partners, which should play a critical role in the growth and development of our economy.

President implored the institute to take stock of issues affecting productivity at enterprise and national levels and brainstorm ideas of enhancing individual performance and driving high productivity in the economy and globally.

This was contained in a speech read on his behalf by Justice Minister Given Lubinda during the official opening of 8th regional summit of the ZIHRM at Avani Victoria Falls Resort in Livingstone.

"I wish to urge you to make full use of this regional summit and derive maximum professional benefits through networking amongst yourselves as participants and resource persons. “My government attaches significance to the role you play as the Zambia institute of human resource management in ensuring that there is rededication of energies, enhanced knowledge and skills by your members for the efficient delivery of services in both public and private sectors," Mr Lungu said.

President Lungu said that the recent covid-19 outbreak compelled organizations to suddenly find new solutions to challenges.

"This regional summit has, therefore, come at the right time with the theme “employee value proposition an enabler to attaining strategic goals.” this theme is important in ensuring that the institute is more practically responsive to its mandate and remains relevant to the current socio-economic scenario in the country," he said.

He said the

Covid-19 pandemic has created a particularly challenging environment for human resource management, with managers having to quickly venture into helping their workforce adapt to and cope with radical changes occurring in the work and social environment. "For example, employees who formerly spent all or most of their time working in their organisation's physical boundaries now have to quickly adjust to virtual work environments or implement new workplace policies and procedures t0 limit human contact.