Unions (ZCTU) General Secretary Roy Mwaba
Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda has reiterated that the Times of Zambia management should ignore the 14 days ultimatum given by Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili to pay workers their salary arrears.
Mr. Shamenda told QFM news in an interview that it is not right for a government institution to be given an ultimatum.
Mr. Shamenda who could not comment further on the matter said that he is aware that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services is doing everything possible to ensure the salary arrears for all workers at Times of Zambia are paid.
Unionized workers at Times of Zambia recently went on strike demanding payment of three month salary arrears, this prompted Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili who was then acting Labour Minister to issue ultimatum of 14 days to management to pay the workers.
However, on Tuesday, Mr Kambwili said only the President has the power to quash his 14-days ultimatum he gave to Times of Zambia management to pay workers outstanding salary arrears.
Mr. Kambwili said that he was disappointed with his Labour counterpart Fackson Shamenda for dismissing the 14-days ultimatum without consulting him, adding that Mr. Shamenda should respect his decision as a Cabinet Minister.
Mr. Kambwili said that that the Patriotic Front government has a mandate to ensure that workers are well treated without making their lives difficult.
Mr. Kambwili said that it was unfortunate that Mr. Shamenda rushed to the media in dismissing his ultimatum instead of asking him why he gave the management such an ultimatum.
And Zambia Union of Journalists (ZUJ) president James Muyanwa said that the issue of the Times of Zambia employees has been taken up by the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).
Shamenda is just right and showing both maturity and experience. The times of Zambia receives grants from the Government through the Ministry of information. Is it therefore right for the Government to give ultimatums to itself. No bwana Kambwili. Just swallow your pride and accept that you were wrong.
Here is an obdurate old man, who should be retired
Shame there is no mandatory retirement age in Politics.
Appalling.
Thanks
It is interesting how so many bloggers can miss the point here. Times is like any other newspaper generating income from sales. On top of which the government gives it grants. So it has multiple streams including advertising.
It’s management decides on how to channel much of those funds based ofcourse on a loose but approved budget. Therefore ignoring salaries for months on end and simply wanting to depend on grants is ridiculous. The paper may as well be closed or sold.
Kambwili ubuponone fye ba Shamenda. Bamudala balitumpako, and he can’t even speak Bemba.
When God wants to destroy someone, he makes them mad first. That is what we are observing in the PF.
What we should not forget is that Kambwili Nzimbinzimbi (Jerabo) is not educated so is Tembo the Copperbelt PF/MMD Chairman. The best both can do is communicate in English.
So they require our great understanding.
HRH
What are you talking about Kambwili is educated he even congratulated himself in the same Times Of Zambia about obtaining a degree.
Its like giving your wife ultimatum to cook nshima and yet you have not given her money for mealie meal ubunga
@ 1.0… You r right how can Govt make its ultmatum to itself. Thts Idiocy of “highest order”.
Kambwili is MAD for sure. With Kabimba in Charge I wonder what will happen.
My Loved Zambia….!!!
Kambwili is shooting himself on the foot. This man is dull, shamenda could have also called Kambwili to discuss this issue before going to the media. Both cabinet ministers has lost this one and are foolish to wash there dirty linen in public.
Only in Zambia..Hehehehe!!
Who needs to pay for a circus ticket when Zambian Cabinet Ministers are providing a free show?
leave kambwili alone shamenda he was even to able to thank , for wel done job than start sayn you should ignore for what , shamenda . ar you goin to give them money , up to now minmum wage were , we send inspetor for , think twice
I think Kambwili is right, i believe Kambwili knew that there was money somewhere that the government can use to Pay the workers at Times of Zambia. There is also a difference of ideologies among the PF members, people who have a heart for the people and want Progress and they are people who want things just to run the way they are as long as they are also getting Paid. Shamenda lied to the nurses about salaries and yet they are the one’s that got fired. Kambwili on the other hand he is a man that believes in development that’s why he even helps out with money and other donations from his own pocket from his businesses to help the vulnerable. e.g he donated bed to a hospital, ambulance etc..Since Shamenda heard a public statement earlier she should first have called Kambwili then ….
….typo now corrected on gender not she but he…Since Shamenda heard a public statement earlier he should first have called Kambwili then make a public announcement if it was needed…On the other hand before Kambwili could pronounce an ultimatum he should have consulted the actual minister of the ministry since he Kambwili was only acting.
Some comments are confusing,someone help me please. Are the Times of Zambia employees on govt payroll or the management pays its people? why is there a board at Times of Zambia and if the govt pays them how is it that there are no such issues at Daily Mail? I feel Kambwili might be right. Management could be to blame hence the ultimatum.
kambwili is right, times of zambia spent money buying luxury cars without looking at how much will be left in the coffers
labourlaws-are-dead.
I SUPPORT SHAMENDA ON THIS ONE, HOW DOES A PARENT TELL HIS OWN KIDS TO FIND MONEY AND GO TO SCHOOL?