FORMER Zamtel workers have urged Government to speed up the process of re-engaging them following the takeover of the company from LapGreen of Libya. The workers have also commended President Sata’s Government for considering the plight of former Zamtel workers.
He was reacting to government’s pronouncement that it is considering reinstating some of the former workers. Chairperson of the former workers Henry Nsama said in a statement issued in Ndola yesterday that re-engaging former workers is long overdue.
“We the former Zamtel employees have received the government statement with renewed hope. We are glad that Government understands our problem and the manner in which we were laid off by LapGreen,” Mr Nsama said.
Mr Nsama said re-engaging the former Zamtel workers will bring relief to the ex-workers’ families who have suffered for too long. Mr Nsama has since urged Government to ignore people castigating it for considering re-engaging former workers.
He also said Government should not engage union leaders who represented the former employees when they were laid off because they allegedly betrayed the majority of workers during the exercise.
“How can they be allowed to represent the very people they failed to protect from retrenchment? We appeal to Government not to involve unions in the bargaining process involving ex- Zamtel employees,” Mr Nsama said.
He added: “There is already a structure in place to represent original Zamtel employees. We urge Government to closely work with this structure on all issues concerning former Zamtel workers and not the current union leadership.”
He also commended Government for establishing how Zamtel was sold.
“It should be emphasised that the retrenchment process was just as bad as the sale of Zamtel and the country lost out in the information communication technology (ICT) sector on some of the most qualified, most experienced and competent brains this country has ever produced due to the chaotic manner in which they were retrenched.
Some of the experienced workers are now seeking jobs outside the country,” Mr Nsama said.
And when contacted for a comment on the matter, National Union of Communication Workers (NUCW) general secretary Liwanga Yuthulu said it will be unfortunate for Government to deal with personalities instead of the union.
Mr Yuthulu said the union is the only recognised institution mandated to represent workers, not individuals.
“Although I have not seen or read the statement by the former workers, I can state that only the union is mandated to represent workers should Government start re-engaging some former workers,” Mr Yuthulu said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
YOU CHAPS YOU ALREADY CHEWED THE MONEY GIVEN TO YOU BY LAPGREEN IF YOU WANT JOBS APPLY DONT JUST CRY AFTER ALL THE GOVT STILL HAS TO PAY BACK LAPGREEN FOR THE MONEY YOU CHEWED IN RETIREMENT BENEFITS MARUBISH YOU WERE DECLARED REDUNDANT GO BACK TO SCHOOL INSTEAD OF JUST CRYING FOR JOBS AFTER MWAPWISHA RETIREMENT.
But former workers are no longer unionised now, how does the union come in?? Its like representing a potential employee who is yet to be engaged because you anticipate an added member. This is simple logic which does not require a rocket scientist. If ex employees are aggrieved its incumbent upon themselves to put in place an exco to represent them. Not until they are re engaged and their conditions of service determined would they be eligible to union representation. In any case, it only unionised workers that were retrenched. I thought even top management was equally slashed and who then is going to represent these people.
But former workers are no longer unionised now, how does the union come in?? Its like representing a potential employee who is yet to be engaged because you anticipate an added member. This is simple logic which does not require a rocket scientist. If ex employees are aggrieved its incumbent upon themselves to put in place an exco to represent them. Not until they are re engaged and their conditions of service determined would they be eligible to union representation. In any case, is it only unionised workers that were retrenched. I thought even top management was equally slashed and who then is going to represent these people in the event that they apply for re engagement.
Boma!
Imwe bakapoli, why are you moderating my comment? Very foolish.
A recipe for disaster.What we need is a leader who will be brave enough to make tough decisions and not the current populist leader.Zamtel had over employed and bringing back these retrenchees will only result in the end for the company, but can the likes of Nsanda see this.
Mr liwanga , how do you want to represent people who are on the street, do not work or pay any subscription to your union ? what criteria are you using to want to represent them differentiating from any one on the street ?
Re-engage them all
Is the government going to re-engage everyone or just some? If its only some, what criteria are they going to use? This is a non starter otherwise its a recipe for disaster. Because I don’t see those who will be left out to sit back quietly.
An appeal to the Govt there should be no re engagement of the former workers they where not fired they got there full benefits let the company run as it is now whoever wants a job with ZAMTEL should apply like others finish. If the reply says no vacancy that’s it let’s not allow SHORTCUTS these are Lazy PIPO talking like this not even ashamed others are making progress in the private sector others are DRINKING BEER using their benefits.
you should also change your working attitude..ala..
These are political decisions that will destroy the company, what are these people going to bring to the table apart from laziness….no wonder they are still unemployed.
Welcome to Zambia! Zambia the real…
Government shouldask itself this question”do we need their services?”Take an example of people who are graduating universities because there areno vacanciesthey are still in the streets .Government has a lot to do not reganging unqualified pipo.I want to urge the grz to be firm on this issue.A high wage bill will make the company fail .This will makethose who were opposed to the takeover rejoice.
aweeee! give chance to the young educated zambians alaaa! re-enganging you kwisa? your attitude towards work was very bad at ZAMTEL i once worked there on attachment at head office they were just lazying about and prostituting among themselves coming for work around 9.00hours, we need fresh ZAMTEL just go farming we were given money!