The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) says government should extend the removal of subsidies on beer and free accommodation offered to officers in the Zambia Army.
Adding its voice on government’s decision to remove fuel and maize subsidies, the ZCTU argues that the move should not only affect workers in the private and public service sectors.
ZCTU General Secretary Roy Mwaba said in Ndola today that government should stop subsidizing officers in the Zambia Army so that an equal situation is created for all Zambians.
The ZCTU General Secretary was speaking during a sensitization workshop for youths on Unionism under the theme “Giving skills to the youths in Unionism” held in Ndola today.
Mr Mwaba said government’s decision to remove fuel and maize subsidies is however a right move as it will help government raise more resources.
He however noted that the decision should not affect public service workers alone.
Mr Mwaba added that although government wants to raise more money through the removal of fuel and maize subsidies the situation has negatively impacted the public service workers.
He explained that the 2013 conditions of service for public service workers have already been negotiated and concluded but that implementation has not yet been done noting that with the recent removal of fuel and maize subsidies this will impact the civil servants negatively as their new salaries are already consumed by the new measures.
Mr Mwaba said government should treat workers equally by ensuring that all subsidies are removed adding that army officers are still enjoying subsidies on beer and have free accommodation.
Mr Mwaba said consultation should be done before implementation in order to have a win-win situation for all citizens.
ZANIS
Thats a good idea ZCTU.
Good point! removal of subsidies to be extended to all,,, maybe its just fair!!!
mwaba u are enjoying peace because of these guys. imagine a nation without an army? they are given free accommodation because their salaries are low ,govt has built camps for them for easy mobilization in case war breaks out and that is the reason they are given cheap beers to confine them to one place. you should mindful of what u utter , u are a leader though nimwebo bamuselekwakaba
Soldiers and the police are civil servants like all others, who work for the Government. Who said teachers and nurses are not contributing positively to the development of our country? What about the agricultural extension officers and immigration? They all do not get a lot of money, so why should one group be favoured over another. There is peace in the country because we are a peaceful people. Your argument amounts to saying that for the Government to remain in power they have to appease the army. That is incorrect. It is the people of Zambia who need to be appeased in our entirety.
Jones, your dullness is incredible to say the least.
WE the CITIZENS make the peace – the armed forces merely PRESERVE it. Let us not elevate these grunts to the status of demi-gods because they carry guns.
Please remember that the armed forces owe us, not them. They have sworn to give up their lives to preserve ours – by their own choice.
And I totally agree that all subsidies should be removed and part of the moneys returned be used to give people a living wage which allows them to purchase goods on the same platform as everyone else.
Thats a very childish statement from a man like u, im very disappointed y haven’t u mentioned the likes of Teachers, Police, doctors etc with free accommodation and urself chewin large chunks of money in the name of union whilst doing nothing.
A leader at your level Mr Mwaba must speak when it is necessary, even then with quality statement. We need development in Zambia we are just too backwards. What PF government is trying to develop was supposed to take place 20 years ago but crooks…may some rest in PC
Irresponsible statement, members of the armed forces worldwide are entitled to food subsidies as they are not well paid and the risk their lives without any questions.
members of the armed forces worldwide are entitled to food subsidies as they are not well paid and the risk their lives without any questions.
Should also read ” the poor and vulnerable worldwide are entitled to food subsidies as they are not well paid and the risk their lives without any questions.
The Army enjoys such because they are the only ones who are to put their lives on the line for the country at a moments notice, you my dear sir will never be asked to fight for our country so consider that before you make such statements
That’s not true! All Zambians have an obligation to fight and defend their country. Soldiers are just a front line. When the situation demands everyone picks up arms to defend mother Zambia. When your house is under attack, your security guard has been overpowered and your children are in danger, do you bolt and leave your kids for dead, no you stand up and defend them.
Firstly, removal of subsidies was badly handled (was done in a hurry without consideration) for reason best known to them, secondly, soldiers are not poorly paid, soldiers in Zambia are among are some of the high earners in Zambia- and many of the soldiers accumulated millions when they served on foreign missions(with U.N.), so built and bought houses with the money. Many ordinary Zambians have never had just golden opportunities in their lives, yet they are suffering the worst. Therefore it is justified to extend removal of subsidies to them soldiers. It sounds like the Union is also looking for jobs in government,…. I mean he talking like a Minister- It is wrong when a Union member starts defending a government move, and sugar coats it with removal of subsidies from soldiers beers.
You want the Government to be overthrown. Those guys have machines if one explode in Cairo, all we scarped and shirting all over the place. Just simple solo or Luchembe KK and FTJ sweated. Leave the army alone. just concentrated on how to make friendship with PF , after all you were rubbing shoulders with RB
…..Becoming a soldier is about career choice, so is every one who is a worker, that is not to say; we do not appreciate what soldiers do, we do very much. It is the way the Government is using them- making them feel special.
A lot of workers risk their lives in the process e.g, miners, nurses, firemen, cops etc. Please do not loose focus by starting to attack each other as we discuss. We all know where the money raised will end up – funding the by- elections in order to kill democracy in Zambia, silence every one opposed to their tricks. That is why this all thing stinks.
If you remove these subsidies from the army you will still end up paying them more in allowAnces and salaries. Their benefits won’t just be lost like that. Just as doctors Have their benefits soldiers have Theirs
What Roy is saying and I agree with him, is that subsidy were ill timed in another way if you read between the lines….’ wrong,
Remove for solders as well and Level the playing field.
The answer is…another Captain SOLO since Civil Society has not managed
Note that even the mps the enjoy the subsidies on beer at parliament hotel our govt is selfish
BA ROY FIND OUT BEFORE U WAFFLE. NO SOLDIER IS LIVING IN A FREE ACCOMMODATION. THEY LIVE IN INSTITUTION HOUSES WHICH BELONG TO THE ARMY IN THE BARRACKS AND THOSE WHO LIVE OUTSIDE ARE BEING PAID BY THE ARMY LIKE ANY OTHER CITIZEN E.G DOCTORS, MINISTERS ETC. DON’T INVOLVE SOLDIERS IN YOUR MATTERS. THEY ARE NOT UNIONIZED. JUST SPEAK FOR THE VOICELESS CITIZENS.
I will be very happy if these monies are transfered to subsidise education for many youths in zambia. Education is just becoming too expensive for an ordinary youth from the rural parts of zambia.
The issue is not about who is who. If subsidy are removed, let every citizen feel it. it is not wise to put forward emotions here, you are all citizens, if MPs drink subsidized beer let be remove subsidy, solders too, so that you all have equal share of the problems at hand. after all, hunger is hunger does not choose who to affect, no one deserve special treatment here,
You young General you need to read the ART OF WAR then you will understand how to win the war. The war is between SATA’ government and the general public of which solders are part of the public. What Roy is trying to put across is that Lets unite and fight the government to reverse this ill times Maneuver
No. 7 you are right all poor people world wide are given subsidies so Mwaba is right dont just insult him. Thats why all this subsidy removal is not helpful. Apart from the armed forces ministers and the president are also subsidied when they even earn so much money. For the President we pay everything he has. Just saying.
you should see were the camps are located,in areas where people have abandoned and neglected but the army personnel have taken their families there to leave and protect the Zambian land and air space,leaving the good areas of the country.to save the nation. remove them and lets see where the nation will go
Mr Mwaba ,i if you don’t have wht to say to the people you better keep quiet .
People don’t talk to much think before u say anything do u think we would even have soldiers with the amount training / torture these people go thru. No one would be willing to do all that amount of work just to have a small salary and little benefits in the end. Its rough being soldier how could u even begin to compare a teacher or nurse,…rubbish. These people have families to support and have to be away for peace keeping in other countries. You can deal with the beer subsidies but please don’t touch the accommodation subsidies. Some people still leave in tents.
People don’t talk to much think before u say anything do u think we would even have soldiers with the amount training / torture these people go thru. No one would be willing to do all that amount of work just to have a small salary and little benefits in the end. Its rough being soldier how could u even begin to compare a teacher or nurse,…rubbish people are seriously injured or lose their lives. These people have families to support and have to be away for peace keeping in other countries. You can deal with the beer subsidies but please don’t touch the accommodation subsidies. Some people still leave in tents. U can come up with what ever points u want to come up with to prove your intelligence but these are people’s lives u are messing with.
you *****s don’t know what training to be a soldier is like.you even have the balls to say you can defend mother Zambia by yourselves?Do you know how long you get to master the use of that weapon and how much endurance the human body of a militia personel can withstand?Baggers you think they are lowly paid.What news have you being listening to?Don’t say things because you are a ka ma bloody Trade union …you chaps are easy money makers always yapping!and barking nonsense…Get a real job.work hard and get that money.