THE Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflections (JCTR) has asked Government to reduce prices of mealie-meal and other essential commodities to keep in check the rising cost of living.
This is according to a statement from JCTR social conditions programme manager Daniel Mutale released in Lusaka yesterday on the monthly food basket.
“The rise in the cost of mealie-meal poses a threat to the majority of the poor who do not have access to good nutrition necessary for decent living,” Mr Mutale said.
He said the high cost of mealie-meal reveals a gap in the maize crop marketing system, which Government should address.
Mr Mutale said the increase in food items renders the recent upward adjustment of the minimum wage for domestic and general workers ineffective in fostering decent living conditions among disadvantaged groups.
He said the cost of living as measured by the JCTR basic needs basket for August, for an average family of five in Lusaka, stood at K3,456,360.
He said there is a rise in the cost of living, compared to the month of July where the basic needs basket was at K3,445,000 because of the increase in the cost of basic food items.
“Such a substantial rise in the cost of basic food items counters the purpose of policies like the recently adjusted minimum wage to foster decent living,” Mr Mutale said.
Mr Mutale expressed concern that the increase in mealie-meal prices has occurred during the crop marketing season when there is enough maize.
He said the increase in the price of food will be a source of stress for the already disadvantaged groups who struggle to make ends meet.
International media reports show that food prices shall continue due to drought in the United States, a hot summer in Russia and excessive rains in Brazil.
These countries are the world’s top producers of food.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Is there an error in the figures quoted? I can’t see any significant increase – K11 360? But on the whole, this is what the economists warned, or should have warned, about the price-wage spiral – you increase unreasonably here, there is an equally or more unreasonable increase else where, until we reach ‘kumwamba’. Market forces are the best determinants of prices/wages, because they self regulate. Good luk JCTR!
Daily Mail shut up! The drought situation has nothing to do with food prices in Zambia. We don’t import maize nor wheat from Russia or USA. Why do you insert your Stu.pid opinion in a news article.
No man no law no war can stop our madness. The self destruct fuse for our boat was unplugged on 20/9/11 by unanimous decision. Zigwe pano nizatonse. Noushalimo akabamo. E Boom iyi.
Thanks for another excellent article. The place else may just anyone get that kind of information in such an ideal means of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such information.
We are yet to see the worst of PF.