As millions of Zambians are planning to vote in tomorrow’s general elections, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour Chanda Kaziya has warned employers against disenfranchising their employees.
Mr. Kaziya said the declaration of Thursday, 12th August and Friday 13th, August 2021, as public holidays by President Edgar Lungu, was done to ensure that citizens exercise their civic right to vote in the election.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, the Permanent Secretary has directed that all employers, including chain stores, must allow employees that have registered to vote as it is their right to do so.
“The position of the ministry is that no one should be disenfranchised by way of taking them to work at the expense of voting,” Mr. Kaziya said.
The Labour Permanent Secretary also appealed to employees to report employers who are depriving them of their right to vote to the Ministry of Labour
“The chain stores have been guided that they can’t force anyone to work on that day. The day is declared as a public holiday so the rules of a public holiday apply but only that this day is a special day for all of us to perform our civic duty,” he said.
Meanwhile, Government has called on all employers to accord the workers a chance to exercise their right to vote in tomorrow’s general elections.
Secretary to Cabinet Simon Miti said no worker should be disfranchised on account of being at work as doing so will attract full wrath of the law on the employer.
Dr. Miti emphasised that workers from both the formal and informal sectors have the constitutional right to vote.
He pointed out that article 47 of the constitution of Zambia spells out clearly that everyone has the right to choose the leaders of their choice.
The Secretary to Cabinet said this in a speech read on his behalf by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga in Lusaka today.
“If there are employers not complying with the provisions of the constitution by not allowing their employees to cast their votes, provide the information to us then the due process of the law will be followed,” he stressed.
On peace, Dr. Miti stated that security has been heightened especially in areas that recorded some pockets of violence.
He explained that people should be free to cast their votes as enough security is in place, adding that essential workers should work in shifts in order to allow them to vote.
The Secretary to Cabinet has further urged the electorates to observe Covid-19 guidelines and leave the polling stations after voting to minimize the spread of the pandemic.
Tomorrow, August 12, 2021, Zambians will flock to polling stations across the country to vote in a general election.
HH got $100 000 from Vedanta an Indian company that tricked Mwanawasa and bought KCM for a song. Vedanta cheated us on tax. ECL has grabbed KCM and given it to the Zambian. At a conference in India Vedanta lectured that one can start a company without money. He gave an example of how he tricked Mwanawasa to get KCM. ECL has explained that HH is demanding another $200 000 from Vedanta so that he can take back KCM. ZAMBIANS you have a vote to say no to this irresponsibility. It gives you an insight of a man, HH. Vote ECL for better Zambia today and tomorrow.
Even employers know that you are not a serious govt and know nothing about productivity ….who declares a holiday after Polling day..in some countries like UK Polling stations open at 07:00hrs through to 22:00 so there is no excuse for a holiday but in Zambia there is a President who has never run a business!!
Garlic – So what if Vandenta donated funds to UPND campaign? They have faith in him and his policies …did you not see the US companies that were donating to the Trump campaign? You think all those bicycles and PF materials were printed and manufactured at PF secretariat? When was the last time you read the FIC Report? Do you know what a PEP is? Stop typing gibberish
You say it is a donation, later, HH will give Vandenta back KCM. Then Vandenta will go back to India and give a lecture “Zambians are sleeping, donate and they will give you their resources.’ HH, craft as he is, he will tell us there is nothing to hide, it was a donation.
Garlic -How old are you? I dont think you understand the history of KCM and how you link to your HH …I dont know.
If $100 000 was a donation, why did he say it is not enough? He wanted another $200 000. It is not enough, in relation to what?
Threats warnings and cautions -lather rinse wash. This is all we have heard in the last disastrous 10 failed years-ENOUGH!
Hypocritical hogwash from a corrupt government official. But it’s too late. We are in line for the polling station right now to vote you and your incompetent colleagues OUT! Goodbye!