Business at Kamwala Trading area has come to a standstill after scores of workers employed in shops staged a protest against their employers this morning demanding for improved conditions of service.
This is the latest of the ongoing demonstrations by workers across the country who are pressing for improved salaries.
A check by QFM at Kamwala trading area this morning found almost all the shops closed with workers gathered outside the shops singing songs of solidarity.
Some workers talked to complained that their employers pay them as little as K180, 000 as a monthly salary which they described as a drop in the ocean.
They have explained that it is unfortunate that despite making a lot of money for their employers, their salaries have not improved.
The have since called on government to come to their aid saying they will not return to work until their demands are met.
Efforts to get the comments from shop owners proved futile as they declined to talk.
Meanwhile, Labour,Sports,Youth and Gender Minister Fackson Shamenda has appealed to all employees in the country to remain calm while his ministry is carrying out the Presidential directive on the revision of the current minimum wage.
Mr Shamenda in a statement released to QFM today says his ministry has already started working on the presidential directive on the current minimum wage provision as contained in the statutory Instruments 1,2 and 3.
He says therefore work stoppages to disrupt productivity in the country should not be allowed.
He adds that in addition to the issue of the minimum wages, his ministry is looking into the improvement of conditions of service for all employees in occupations where the wages and conditions of employment are regulated through the process of collective Agreement under the Industrial Relations Act or where employee/employer relationships are governed by specific employment contracts which are attested by labour officers.
Mr Shamenda further states that his ministry remains open for consultations from both employers
QFM
Guys this is what you can pay your coleagues surely??? K 180,000.00 TEYA TALK TIME IYI.WORKERS TAKE HEART AND LETS WORK AND YOUR WORKING WILL BE LOOKING INTO THIS AS WE WORK. WORK STOPAGES ARE NOT AN ANSWER.
Yu right Mwinsho and more importantly waiting for labour minister to revise the minimum wage.Its the process but befor they even conclude it pipo are react.
Please Mr. Honorable Minister, You mean there are no barbershops in Zambia?? Spare sometime to shave your beard.
Lead by example in your apperance and also contribute to youth empowerment, by visiting a barbershop owned by the youth.
King Cobra please displine your ministers they should have some code of appearance. This is embarrassing.
Lol Thanks for making my day!
Hope naiwe nalibeya konse
iwe Sheikh tawabelengapo story ya Samson.
This is indeed living on less than a $/day…everyday. Parents, please focus on giving your kids an education. Try with all your might.
Ba Shamenda, are you related to Savimbi? Ifiko chimudala wee.
Hehehehe Nice one, these ministers are very dirty…you made my day mate
#2 Sheik – LOl thanks for making my afternoon hehe:d
Ha ha ha ha ha ha you guys you are humorous!!!! thanks for making me laugh.
Pipo who work in shops and getting 180pin were not conscripted to work there. They chose those jobs and were told before hand what the pay was.So if anyone feels that they deserve a better pay, they should simply resign and seek jobs somewhere else. Besides those jobs in Chinese shops are for the unskilled labor.Unskilled laborors cannot expect to be paid more than 180pin.Lesson to you the youths who voted for PABWATO-Go back to school!!Otherwise you’ll rot in Chinese shops. In China, choncholis pay nshima as a monthly wage for unskilled labour force. Luckily my only son is a Nkwazi School and will certainly never work in a choncholi’s shop.
#Very short sighted response sir, with due respect. There are people that find themselves in those jobs not because they never wanted to go to school but because at the time they were supposed to go to school or colleges the system broke down, no government help, no places in colleges no chance for the poor. We are what we are because Kaunda has a foresight. For the last 20 years these guys have had a very bad government. Tell you what, unskilled labour do wonders in Zambia; I employ many of them and still pay them more than a minimum wage; and plus accomodation. And who is to tell the future that our kids will never in their shoes?
For sure your kids can work in such shops. Infact in Zambia there are many examples. Kids who go to goverment schools have proved to excel better than those at the so called NKwazi. The only skill the will gain is to be a Chongololo and if we meet them in higher institutions of learning their performance is hopeless. You never know what the future holds as most of these kids who seem to come from well to do families they over depend on their parents without concentrating on their education. I grew up with a lot of kids who went to trust schools who did not only make it to University or college but ended up getting the worste job they could get if luck. Others are leading miserable lives . So being at Nkwazi is not a passport to sucess. You can come frome a humble background and make it in
Thank God am not your kid…what a hopeless father. Chongololo adult.
I TOTAL DISAGREE WITH YOU… NO SLAVERY SALARY SHOULD BE PAID IN LABOURS.
Hon. Fackson Shamends has had that beard as a rademark and I doubt you guys will persuade him to shave it off, just because he is now Minister, remember George Mpombo at one time???
He has done well to clam the situation, otherwise industrial unrest was becoming a serious threat to economic stability and could scare away investors.
Definitely paying 180,000 is a crime, not eve a garden boy gets that!!!
We are not talking about Hon.Shamenda here.We need to increase from 180 pin.Please focus your comments on the subject.
#6: Mufana Wamahafu – Am not sure of you as a person but your comment above is dull and stup1d. You are clearly clueless.
thnx Ghostrider, i was almost insulting the thing. the guy is very dull and stupd not the comment my bro.
THIS TRADE MARK SHOULD BE RE BRANDED.PANJI KAUNDA WENT FOR SWEARING IN A KABBUNDULA, AND KING SERVANT CHASED HIM TO DRESS DECENTLY.I MEAN YOU KNOW WHAT AM SAYING BOSSES.
Can someone please help me I cannot understand this sentence: “They have explained that it is unfortunate that despite making a lot of money for their employers, their salaries have not improved.” I want someone to tell me how much is a lot of money as I find it to be relative indeed. Yes K25m is a lot of money but if one has to pay his workers a wage bill of K24m then we have a problem. What is a take home for the owner of the company? What about utility bills and the like? Is this what it mean to have more cash in your pocket; cant understand this maths jargon. These Kaponyas will bring us hell on earth. I do not think this is what the president meant in “more money in you pocket” slogan. I end here!
Iwe chimbwi do not be dull, it does not mean that if you make 24m then you to paid that same amount. Please we know in business there are many issues involved but if the business is doing well and making profit, surely 180pin is not a decent salary. If the business is making too little money, then I guess the owners may shut it down. Stop embarrassing yourself mwana!
AM NOT A BOSS BUT MY MONTLY AIR TIME IS SIX TIMES HIGHER THAN THE K180,000.00.
number 7 you are a fool go on and count your eggs
#6 KK would tell you stup1d 1diot!
#6 you are evil?? Who should go back to school?? Indeed yourself. How would you celebrate your own fellow Zambian being paid that little money?
Why they accepted is because they had no choice. No one spoke on their behalf, as MMD was so corrupt that even Chinese people who shot some Zambians walked out freely.
These Shop owners make a lot of money; they should share their worth with their Zambian workers who have made them rich, else pack and go back to India if you cannot pay a minimum wage.
#6, EPIC FAIL
#3 @Maggie, at today’s exchange rate thats approximately $1.22, so they are technically leaving above a dollar per day
#15, join with #6 and be parners in id1ocy
#15, join with #6 and be partners in id1ocy
Instead of showing us Shamenda, can we have a picture of this supposed K180,000 payslip. Until then, these guys are lying!
Seriously paying someone ZK180,000 as monthly wage is illegal and if these shop owners cannot pay better, they should do the work themselves. I have a living in maid, she eats and uses every toiletry from my house and I still pay her K350,000. We are discussing welfare for fellow human beings and # 6 Mufana Wamahafu writes like a self righteous son of a gun! Atase fusake! Hon. Shamenda, you need to resound your assurance to the workers of this country that disturbing productivity is not in their best interest as the economy will slump and we will all suffer the consequences. As for the beard on Hon. Shamenda, I wonder if he can consider shaving, it would impress the youth that he wants to relate to them. # 2 Sheikh, you made me laugh, cheers!
#17 Ichamunda, is it wrong to point out that this is not less than a dollar per day? I was mere pointing out what is less than a dollar per day not supporting #6 or anyone who thinks this is fine. Check before you say silly things
Shekikh please, leave shamenda alone. He is a freedom fighter
I agree with #2 .Ifiko ba Shamende twapapata!!! go and shave for God,s sake.
I get K2m equivalent on a days’ shift of 8 hrs. It is slavely for the people to be getting K500,000 per month. How will the Zambian economy convince me to park my katundu and come back home?
Sheikh leave the Honarable alone…lol.That is his brand.
Guyz, i see nothing evil in Mfana Wamahafu advising you to go to school and improve your paper to become competitve in the job market.the problem you pf chaps see only one side of things.We all post opinions that are supposed to be respected even if you dont agree with them
In Health and Safety paddagogy, those who start a fire must be in full control to extingish that fire. “More money in your pocket” concept can easily back fire if said blindly. We next expect all the unemployed to go on strike for more money in their pockets, you can’t blame them, can you? Mr Shamenda might be a muslim let him keep his beard under religious right. However, provide answers to striking worker and the unemployed. PF cadre to go to school? PF ideology is school never matter can still become president.
@ #6. Mahafu kuti atase. Leave Hon Shamenda alone, thats his brand. Thats the problem with you youngsters. Leka ku PANYOPEKE PANYOPEKE atase.
here comes zambia the country of higher wages.
#6 you are right,when those chaps where asked how much they needed they answered iliyonse.
This minimum wage issue should not be rushed like dissolving BOARDS. Things should be done in order; work to emprove the economy first; empower small businesses, especially Zambian businesses and then effect the minimun wage.
Because in this economic condition, the minimun wage issue would mean more casual workers will be layed-off and they will not even have that K180,000 pin they have now and then will have more unemployment and the problems that comes with it. unless the government will create jobs for them (WHICH is a SOCIOLISTIC move) we will continue having high unemployment rates
#6 the truth pains, I feel you. I admire your honest.
My advice to my fellow Zambians is that in this day and age you can not be running an economy by decree. It takes very little nowadays to shake investor confidence and it is easy for first world economies like Greece to collapse. I hope those who are running our country are conscious of this.If we mess up all those who are cheering will remember Rupiah Banda as an angel before very long. Rupiah left amid insults, a country at peace, a bumper harvest and an economy growing at 7% per annum
The minister must put in place guidelines to direct grievance and conditions of service demands procedures. For starters, guide respective labour union leaders such that by April of each year they should submit employees demands to employer management committees with a view to allow employers enough time to assess the reasonableness of the demands. The employers must give an answer within 90 days. If they fail to do so then let the affected firms face strikes. Hence, let AUGUST of each year be a month for strikes.
Ba PF put money in people’s pockets, thats what you promised. Dont just enjoy firing people these labourers will match to state house soon.
Zambians are used to just sitting around yet they expect the employer to find money to pay them. How do you say “despite making a lot of money for the employers, their salaries have not improved” do you look at what the employer is paying in terms of taxes, rent, electricity, etc. Sata should have emphasized “hard work means more money in your pockets” To meet these demands small businesses will fire a few people and then increase the salary for the remaining few. Even just increasing the minimum wage Sata should have consulted with business people. You cant expect businesses to survive when you charge them 80% tax. As a business owner I pay my workers the amount of money equivalent to the amount that they bring in. Emphasis on HARD WORK is paramount.
The boards dissolved themselves they were not working go to ZRA and see how appointments were made by the so called board, it was based on tribe inlcuding the latest one for Deputy Commissioner who everyone knows had a problem in the Zambian Embassy in SA..But because the Board Secretary, The PS from Justice who will soon be fired they used tribe and got the boy in but we have the report kuya bebele
Munyono,mufana wamahafu,Sianga,Muna Dekhane,Sheikh and all you chaps who think you are better than ma bros n sisters who are suffering should think before yoy say something coz atleast if you kip quite will consinder you to be wise.Have a conscience.Oh!! And also you chaps who are saying stuff abt the honourable,post your ballies photos so that we compare NOW!
Iwe chi minister, its donchi kubeba, no work
And away we go!
I hope this issue of minimum wage will be addressed soon. People should be paid actual hours of work being done so clocking systems should be introduced because if we just want to benefit employees then we will have lost direction as a nation. The minimum wage should be done fairly. Clocking in systems will be great for our country because it will help remove the culture of laziness, irresponsible absences, late coming should be addressed and lunch time needs to be cut. I remember working in Zambia our lunch time was from 12:30 to 14:00. I wish we had that over here. One and half hours for lunch is too long. Tea breaks should be addressed. 20 days of holiday per year is what we need. All absences should be done with approval. We need a paradigm shift in culture in order to move forward.
One of the ways governments can change culture of the nation is through legislation. This government can change the Zambian culture through employment laws. When we have laws that will benefit all stakeholders we will move forward. Employers need to benefit from employees because businesses exist primarly to make profit for the owners. When a business prospers, all stak holders should benefit that is owners, employees and customers. I think our biggest problem is our culture. We need a culture of hard work, responsibility and productivity. That is why I am suggesting that we need clocking systems for people working in places where wages are paid. When we come up with minimum wage we nee to educate people that it isn’t time for laziness, more money means more work and there are no 2 ways.
I wonder what wisdom in labour issues can come out of that forest of scruffy white/ grey hair/beard. This guy badly needs a hair cut. But does he know that. Someone to remind him-maybe the president himself.
Coming to real issues. I think these kaponyas who are striking evrywhere have missed the point. These guys signed to be paid 180pin per month. There were even queues and queues of the so-called listed chaps. What you see is what you get. If its not enough leave. I end here!
By the way even his collar is standing eeiiisshhhh!. What a minister!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its true nipabwato zoona! I end here!
Next will be shoprite workers and thereafter teachers,nurses etc.When the increaments are done to satisfy the workers then Honourable Land Lord will come with his new bill to dilute the salary increaments. Wait and see.
Those who leave in glass houses do’nt throw stones. I feel for the guys work for such megre salary. It is criminal for sure.
Chaos!Chaos!That’s exactly what happened when the Zuma ascended to power in Mzansi.
Chaos!Chaos!That’s exactly what happened when the Zuma ascended to power in Mzansi.It was strike after strike.
Now PF can you fulfil the promises you made.K1 million minimum tiyeni ku banki,balefolesha ama millon.Banda must be having a nice rest!
The count down is on ,77 days to go!
The first country in the world where govt calls on workers countrywide to protest against low wages.
This is remarkable; nowhere else in the world will you find this but Africa, and Zambia the real Africa.
This is serious hangover; the president has ‘opposition’ hangover while his minister has a hangover of trade unionism.
They have both forgoten they are in govt.
I am happy that Shamenda is minister of labor…… He was CEO of ZCTU. He has worked for many years as champion of workers.
these chaps must be careful as if there unskilled labour there more than enough replacements ….i hope all the students who don’t take school seriously listen to what happening cause that could you or worse. 180 pin is terrible thouÂ
@49 hope zed won’t become like south africa striking everyday for everything and anything as many companies are deciding to move there investments else whereÂ
K180,000.00 is too little,but my humble question is,HOW MUCH IS THEIR DEMAND?If you ask them that question you’ll be shocked with their responce.They probably want ANYTHING.God help them.
Shamenda go and cut yo hair…u look like an old village chicken..pipo wont see sense in wat u say coz yo head says it too..
@28 what planet are you from. I have no qaulms about eduction but look at the worlds movers and shakers of today. For instance Richard Branson in the UK is a college drop-out but is one of the riches and humblest man I’ve ever come across. Look at Bill Gates another dorp- out he is the most generous down to earth manwho has touched so many countries without being setting foot there. So what are you on about educaton being the be all and end all. Right now in the UK for every job there are more that 6000 people applying for the job.
With the demand for higher salaries, I see a lot of people losing ther jobs. When the minimum wage is revised, even Nshims cokes at Kamwala will demand the revised wage. At that point employers will have to do away witth workers and mostly work with their children. If anytthing, I see anarchy cropping up.
Very, very soon this will spread across the country. Zambia will be a case study for other countries.
MORE UNEMPLOYED ON THE STREET. IF THE INDIAN SAYS THAT HE LAYS OFF 10 IN ORDER TO PAY 300 PIN TO 5 WORKERS WHO IS GOING TO EMPLOY THE 5????WE CAN PUSH THESE SHOP OWNERS TO A CERTAIN POINT BUT BEYOND THAT GOVT HAS NO POWERS. MIND YOU UTU TUMAGUYS TULAFYALA KWATI MPANYA.
NUMBER 6 (Mufana wamahafu ) you are heart less, ,i have so much to say to you but that will make me sink to your level, for now just take that you are cruel ,childish and heartless.
This PF Government balebuta kwati baiche. This is not the conduct of a government that means well. Now every Jim, Jack and Harry can work up and engage in strkes to demand improved conditions of service and pay without analysing the capacity of the employers to meet their unreasonable demands. Being in opposition is easy but running government requires level heads not those who respond to whims of the led. Provide leadership and not kaponya mentality in governance lest to run the economy aground. PF Govt my foot. No direction
I’VE CAUGHT THE WIND OF THE STORY DAT TRADE KING CO HAS LAID OFF ABOUT THREE HUNDRED WORKERS INVIEW OF REDUCING ITS WORKFORCE AND INCREASE SALARIES/EAGES FOR THE REMAINING WORKERS.