President Levy Mwanawasa says government will not withdraw the Labour law and the industrial bill because adequate consultations were made before the bill was taken to parliament.
He said social partners have concluded consultations on the proposed labour law reforms and the industrial and labour relations amendments bill which has since been tabled in parliament.
Dr. Mwanawasa said the development is a great development towards ensuring that there is social justice in the manner employers interact with employers at places of work.
Dr. Mwanawasa stated that it was only the Labour movement mother body who was agitated by the by the bill stating that other region in the movement were happy.
The President advised people agitated to make submission to the parliamentary committee that will be assignment to look at the bill.
He said if the committee agrees with the submissions, that it will make appropriate recommendation but that if it does not agree, that the bill would be taken back to parliament for enactment.
The President said very soon the labour commission office would be checking on the accounts book of labour movement to see how the money’s are being utilised.
Dr. Mwanawasa said government has received reports of money being used to pay legal fees, build houses at the expense of poor workers.
The President made the remarks in response to Zambia Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) President Leonard Hikaumba who urged government to withdraw the bill so as to allow for further consultations.
He said some of the clauses included in the bill were not agreed on during the tripartite consultative meeting.
On demands for increased salaries, the president urged the union to make demands that are reasonable as they are able to obtain information which relates to government’s financial performance.
He said the labour movement should be mindful of where the money would come from as they make their demands.
The President however stated that he was happy with the economy achievement that the country has attained.
“We know our country was down on its knees, but its important that we work together so that the country fully develop,’ he said.
And President has warned mining companies that they will fail to acquire the needed profits if they deny the workers better working conditions.
He said even after the newly introduced mineral taxes that mining companies would still a lot from their investment.
He reiterated that Zambians taxes in the mining sectors were not high on average as compared to other mining countries.
Government this year introduced new taxes in the mining sector that include increase corporate tax, windfall taxes and the mineral royalty .
And Labour and social security minister Ronald Mukuma said government is working with other social partners to strengthen dialogue.
He said due to the harmony in the labour market, that all the wheels of productions are in motion.
The comment by Mwanawasa has not come as a surprise because the govt cannot be advised. What it is doing is always right. They feel that if they accept another person’s advice will be considered a weakness even if it makes sense. The govt looks at the source but not the content of the information. Mulonga watalazyolwa wakabula makoba meaning the river does not flow straight but meanders. They should listen to other people’s constructive criticisms in for them to lead the nation properly. A leader is a servant of the people and not a master.
It is not right for us to say that the government is wrong where were all these people when the meetings were going on like ZCTU and others and now they are saying all kind of things I think it is about time that we did some good for the people of ZAMBIA Why is it that we blame the President all the time and the government when it is trying to do its best and you can see the country is out of problems what did the bus conductor do for the country. I know of a case where by a friend of mine was given brown envelopes full of GREENS every time he went to state house by this fool so at list now there is law and order in the country we now feel there is some one who has a voice KEEP it LEVY
In as much as we understand that the President has made strides in developing the economy, it is emperative that he listens to the will of the people. I dont agree with #2 that we keep on blaming the govt. As one individual who was in govt at one time, there are dictatorial tendencies in the ruling govt and if you have a different view on very important issues, you are chucked out. A Fora was not availed to ZCTU and other mother (labour) bodies to make a contribution. #2 think of it…You father a child and denies responsibility…any logic? If The labour mvment was part and parcel of collective bargaining, this situation wud not arise. Mr. President, Listen to the wills of the people. They
But those pipo the president must listen to should also be consisted. When the Hikaumbas were given time to discuss these labour issues they were quiet. Now that the bill had been submitted to paliament thats when they start calling it back. These are the chaps who are loud mouthed and not doing their work. Thats why the minimum wage is Zambia is K250 000.00
It seems all our reporters have a problem with reporting.They are just reporting that the bill will not be withdrawn but have not highligted why the Labour Movement is opposing.They need to highlight that so that even if I have not been following the issue I would know what the controversy is all about just by reading the article
Stand firm Mr. President! Let no one tell you what to do.
Ba Wordpres..thejkh dfdsfgsd
I have no idea as to what articles are being refered to, but I am made to believe that Hikaumba is reaping what he sowed. He backed The MMD through the NCC, because of the cash, He parots what LPM says. This is all with the hope that the Gvt will talk good about him. But who does not know LPM and his Luna tantrums. Hikaumba has been barking on the wrong tree. We appreaciate the improved economy but that does not give the right to LPM to be dictatorial. Mugabe used to be a good man, but he stopped listening to others. What can we write home about on Zimbabwe and ZANU-PF? Nill. So dont be content with what you have now to allow the wako ni wako syndrome. We all need to be vigilant.
It is immoral for any govt to deny workers the right to a peaceful strike action. In any democracy workers’ rights to strike should be garanteed. Using threats has never solved problmes. LPM you are totally out of bounds by threatening to fire people on the basis of their right to strike. Threats by KK built up FTJ – remember 4 feet vs 6 feet threat? Where did it take KK? 4 feet ended up winning. Never undermine the power of workers. One should not forget the making of Walesa in Poland.
My question on this labor code is, does it favor any one sector of the economy or is it fair and balanced labor code? If the ZCTU, who have seen lately have a misplaced agenda failed to participate due to lack of foresight and the labor code have clauses that limit their intake from the labor pool affects their pockets, I see no reason to go ahead with the new labor code. But if their concerns is to do with the working masses and how the employers treat them, then yes, they should find a way to broke the signing of it into law. Knowing today’s Unions, probably they have a problem because they wont syphony more from the poor working masses.
I concur with #5 could we please know what the controversy is before condeming anybody. e.g. Why are the labour movements refusing to be audited? How do workers benefit from contributions they make to these labour unions. Is their term limit for labour leaders to serve in there positions or its wamayaya etc. Could somebody enlight me
# 11 – Well it appears , a clique has emerged in the Trade Unions that is running trade unions as tutembas and thereby not looking after workers interests. What the law seeks to achieve is to create a mechanism whereby elections in trade unions are restricted to working members and that the Registrar of Trade Unions will be entitled to appoint an external auditor in the event that Trade Unions fail to submit auditted accounts from their own auditors.
Some trade union leaders are opposing these provisions because they feel that their control of the trade unions funds and power will be made accountable.