THE Railways Systems of Zambia (RSZ) says it will retrench 170 of its employees this month under the Voluntary Separation Scheme.
RSZ Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Even said in a statement that the retrenchment will represent 10 per cent of the company’s direct and indirect workforce.
” Despite the global economic crunch not sparing RSZ, we had managed to keep the employees and retrenchment was our last option, but some events have forced us to embark on separating with some employees,” Mr Even said.
He said being mindful of the difficulties in finding employment,his management has reached an agreement with the Railway Workers Union of Zambia (RWUZ) to first give the affected workers an option of voluntary separation which he said was under generous conditions.
He said the RSZ management and RWUZ officials agreed during the collective bargaining process which has been in effect for the past two weeks that RSZ shall first consider the voluntary separation scheme.
” It was further agreed that the compulsory retrenchment shall only be effective if the mutually agreed 170 workers shall not be attained through the Voluntary Separation Scheme,” he said.
The RSZ chief added that his management also agreed that all employees to be separated will receive their full payments on the day of departure.
RSZ sees this exercise as an important measure to face the recent unfortunate developments while doing its utmost to minimise the effect, he said.
However,RSZ is re-emphasising the commitment to continue investing in infrastructure and improving the company’s performance within and beyond the contractual obligations, and see this exercise as a strategy to save costs and prepare for the future.
He was quick to point out that despite the development due to the global economic meltdown, RSZ will continue to positively contribute to social and economic development of Zambia through improved service delivery.
ZANIS/ENDS/MM
nambala one
This is sad its a trend everywhere, no surprise at all.
It is a global problem but this is when the country needs it’s leadership to tell the people what they are planning… to tell you the truth havent heard a single strategy other than squables and firing… it would help to hear how government will devise ways to boost employment levels… lets not hide behing the recession please…
Albidon Mine Munali Nickel Mine closed. RSZ to retrench. I think Zambia should retrench itself. Starting with these useless ministers that are doing nothing to improve our lot. retrenchments everywhere. Atase.
What is hte government doing on this job losses?we can’t now go through a day without hearing company closed,company laying off workers,retrenchments,where are we heading to?do something about these.
Voluntary is the key word. At least they are not compelled. They can start all over again. It is not the end of the world.
Zambia with a population of K12m people has 300,000 people in gainful employement. What does this translates to? each household inn zambia is feeling the pinch of the Global melt down. Countrymen we cant go on like this. the meltdown is being grossly exagerated i.e. The Mines are not making a loss so why these Job Losses. Crime will increase. NyamaSoya ali Go’ne mutulo. Politicians aspire to be in high office not for prestige but to sort out the challenges facing the country. Malawi with no minerals is not badly affected why?