THE planned countrywide demonstrations by the public services workers have been abandoned following an agreement between Government and union leaders to commence negotiations for 2014 conditions of service.
This follows a meeting that took place yesterday in Lusaka between the two parties at the Government complex.
Secretary to the cabinet Roland Msiska was leading the Government team, while Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Leonard Hikaumba led the public sector unions.
Mr Hikaumba confirmed in an interview after the meeting that the unions had agreed to put on a hold the planned countrywide demonstration following Government’s indication that it was willing to open up negotiations for improved conditions next year.
“We hope the indication for commencing of the negotiation is not meant to make us put aside our intentions for a planned demonstration but that the negotiation should commence as soon as possible, “he said.
He said Civil servants do not want to continue sacrificing as they have done so for a long time and it was their time to enjoy the fruits of their labour.
“We have sacrificed a lot, during the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative period we sacrificed and we do not want to sacrifice anymore,” he said.
In a separate interview, Dr Msiska was happy that the two parties had reached an agreement to commence the normal procedure of negotiating for conditions of service.
“We have had a good relationship with the union and Government has always been committed to addressing the plight of the workers as evident with the unprecedented salaries increments which have never been experienced in the history of the civil service,” Dr Msiska said.
On the salary distortion, Dr Msiska said Government was aware of the problem as it initiated the correction of the same, through a 10 years public service reform system.
“As usual, when implementing such a venture challenges are likely to be encountered, but these will be eventually addressed,” he said.
Good !
the zctu officials have been given large amount of money behind doors to call the demonstrations period zambia for you
Are you saying they cant come up with a normal channel of sorting out issues unless otherwise?
inhumanity.
We have sacrificed enough during the HIPC period and it is time to enjoy the fruits our labor. Hope govt has understood the meaning of this observation.
Thats how civilised people in a civilised world solve problems, am proud of you guys keep it up, sreaming is not for us, well done!
good one there cindy.
no need being antagonist on some of these issues that can easily be solved.
know what i think……, the problem that we have now are our own politicians both in the ruling party and opposition.
they like politicizing everything that come their way..
people here are talking of improving the welfare of its workers and all one can come up is politics. why?
@ mature,
Imagine how shallow and dirty the minds of the people have become, it’s like life is all about politics, every thing one says has to synchronise with politics, what a pity, lets hope things will change for the better.
@cindy,
oh dear me, how i wish we had more bloggers on this blog who think and reason like you.
if wishes where horses….
Government knows that this was going to destroy them completely, so they had to use all their resources to bribe these guys. Remember that Hikaumba is bribable, they manged to bribe him during the constitution, have you forgotten?