Labour and Social Security Minister Joyce Simukoko has bemoaned the high levels of non-compliance to the country’s labour laws especially among employers from the informal sector.
Mrs. Simukoko says the government is aware that most employers have not implemented the new employment code Act.
She says government’s decision to revise labour laws and further extend social security to the informal sector is meant to codify and consolidate employment law principles thereby altering the employment landscape in the country.
Mrs. Simukoko was speaking when she met International Social Security Association – ISSA Secretary General Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano on the sidelines of the World Social Security Forum in Brussels, Belgium.
And Mr. Caetano applauded government for its commitment towards the International Social Security Association as well as promoting conducive working conditions for employees.
The Labour Minister is in Brussels attending the fifth World Social Security Forum -WSSF- which is being hosted by the public social security institutions of Belgium.
This years’ forum which is being held under the theme “Protecting people in a changing world’ has attracted more than one thousand participants from more than 1-hundred and 50 countries.
This is according to a statement released to ZNBC News by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations, at the Zambia Embassy in Brussels Belgium, Phyllis Chilekwa.
…this we know please… But what is your short, medium and long term plans to go round the problem??? The era of just saying I have this problem is long gone mwebantu….we in an era of identifying, working out solutions, reviewing and revising and improving and offering innovation on the workable solutions……aba ba mayo bamu colonial. Kudala mangi, things have changed now… We need young, visionary and vibrant leaders to take up these jobs…the young vested with current happenings in the world…
Come on Minister you were a union leader now you’re the Minister.
Fix it now. We expect you to be overboard. You are expected to outclass all your predecessors in your job.
From union leader to Minister in your field and you are expressing those views. You can view your job in two dimensions if not three now. You’re better placed to fix things locally.
As always the problem is known but the leaders responsible lack the cajones to sort out the problem. The companies owned by these Indians are the worst. They keep employees longer than should yet don’t pay any overtime, they steal away people’s leave days by paying you money for less than a months salary and still don’t allow you to go on leave. People’s contracts those who signed long term contracts are not updated with the new changes to the labor laws meaning people still get paid @ 10% gratuity for contracts expiring next year. Indian companies in heavy industrial area need to be thoroughly checked for labour compliance.
Mulamu lawlessness knows no colour and tribe!
I share in the sentiments above. A useless government that is only good at stealing and pointing out the problem they create. ***
I don’t know Indian business but my nephew is working with a small Zambian company that sells and services computers and accessories at town center. There is no contract at all, no overtime. The salary K800. The last time he was paid was in June this year. When he asks for his money he is told that there is no money. Sell a computer and you get paid. He sells a computer and is given half a salary. He can’t find another job and is stuck with this company. Wants to go back to school but the owner doesn’t have money to pay him his arrears.
Madam, the real issue for informal or formal sector employers failing to comply with the labour laws are well known and you are part of the problem.
1: when workers complained about a restaurant employer using derogatory words towards zambians , the whistleblower was exposed and made look like she was the perpetrator of the problem.
2: corruption – on this im not accusing you but its well know that people with access to the corridors of power that may be boasts about your corruptions as leaders
And there is competition to be seen aa the most important person to protect the wrongdoers
3: the economy is ahrinking at the faster pace disposal incomes are becoming increasingly difficult to find therefore those employers able to employ are using this as a weapon against employees leave…
Ichi nacho, by the time the Chief Labour Officer realises the damage caused it will be too late. Much like the solar hammer mills, from 2015 that is when the Chief Solar Officer realises that 500 installed none of them is producing mealie meal.
The Director General of ZCCF Mr Chirwa, that is when he realises that the business concept was never taught to the beneficiaries and NO cost benefit analysis was carried out to back their
deployment, same as Presidential empowerment initiative.
GRZ is the worst violator! How do you make employees go for months without pay? Retirees are languishing for years without receiving their dues? Your PF GRZ except for mama Inonge voted against paying of retirees! Put your house in order before demonizing good employers in the private sector! At least they pay their workers on time. It’s inevitable that they will swear at our lazy citizens as most of them have very poor work ethics and steal too much! So find time to educate our people on how to be good employees!