Labour Deputy Minister urges trade unions to follow procedures

Information Broadcasting and Labour Deputy Minister Rayford Mbulu has urged all trade unions in the country to follow right procedures when handling labour disputes.

Mr Mbulu said it is sad that many labour movements in the country do not follow labour procedures when handling labour disputes a situation which he said results in fake industrial unrest.

Mr Mbulu said unwanted false industrial unrest in the country have diverse complications on the social and economic development of the nation.

He has since called on all labour movements in the country to ensure that they protect the workers’ rights rather than causing unwarranted industrial unrest which he said disrupts the national economic developments plans.

Mr Mbulu was speaking in Chisamba today when he officially opened a two day 12th quadrennial conference for the Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (HCAWUZ) held under the theme “Respect for Workers Rights, Social Dialogue and Promoting Decent Employment”.

Mr Mbulu further called on all trade unions to seriously embark on a worker education on how to handle industrial disputes and wrangles in order to strengthen relationships between the employer and the employee.

Meanwhile, Mr Mbulu said that government has embarked on a program aimed at reviewing all labour laws so as to promote decent working culture among the workers in the country.

Speaking earlier, Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (HCAWUZ) Acting President Kennedy Phiri called on government to seriously formulate laws that will adequately address the demands of employees in the hospitality industry.

Mr Phiri noted that may workers in the hospitality industry across the country experience worst conditions of service which he said needs serious attention by government and all key stakeholders.

ZANIS