Zambian gov't promises to address workers' plight

Zambian Vice-President Rupiah Banda Wednesday assured the workers of the country that the government is doing everything possible to address their plight.

Banda said the government would effectively address critical issues that affect the workers from all walks of life through the creation of jobs and wealth in a bid to reduce poverty.

He urged the Ministry of Labor and Social Security to provide leadership once the government launches the fifth national development plan, which has a chapter on labor and employment.

Officially opening the 12th congress of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) in Livingstone, the capital of Southern province, he said that the protracted delay in the revision of the labor laws has hampered the measurement of the quality of jobs created.

The government shares the burden with the social partners to finalize the agreed amendments to the labor laws, he said.

He said that it is difficult to deal with unscrupulous employers if the labor laws are not firm in respecting the fundamental principles and rights at the workplaces.

The vice president said "in all fairness, we should accept that it is inhuman to deny a worker of the basic right to enable him earn money to add value to his life. It is not beneficial to have a job that has no security.''

He said that the health and safety of a worker is a matter of grave concern to government and called on the workers representatives to join hands with the government in order to improve the work environment.

ZCTU President Leornard Hikaumba urged the government not to brag about the reduction in inflation but to create jobs and wealth that would be appreciated by every Zambian.

Hikaumba who wondered what the pride would be of freedom if people could not meet basic needs called on the government to distribute wealth equitably.

The trade union leader also called on the government to lower taxes.

Source: Xinhua