Zambia commemorates Labour Day

Zambia today joined the rest of the world in commemorating the Labour Day which falls on the first day of May every year.

Today’s labour day celebrations at the Freedom Statue in Lusaka attracted various stakeholders who included government ministries and departments and several private and public companies.

The occasion which was graced by the Acting President George Kunda was also attended by members of the Cabinet Ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, defense force chiefs and labour movement officials.

The event was characterised by a colourful march past, displays and performances from various government ministries and departments, private owned companies, and educational institutions, among others.

This year’s theme is “economic recovery through respect for workers rights, good governance and job security.”

Speaking during the celebrations, President Rupiah Banda said the global financial crisis should not be used as an excuse to lay off workers and endanger job security in the country.

Mr. Banda warned that government will not tolerate the tendency by some employees in the country to lay off workers under the guise of the global economic down turn.

In a speech read on his behalf by Acting President George Kunda, said government will continue to focus on diversifying the economy form the current dependence on mining to agriculture, tourism manufacturing and service sectors in order to grow the economy and create more jobs.

Mr. Banda said government will also enhance infrastructure development in order to open up and improve accessibility to farming blocks, tourism sites and industrial parks in the multi facility economic zones.

President Banda further noted that economic recovery and diversification can only be realized if workers rights are respected adding that workers tights and job security are essential elements in ensuring high productivity.

Mr. Banda said the current financial melt down should not be taken as a pretext to weaken workers rights.

He said it should instead be used as an opportunity to reassess, respect and effectively implement the international labour organization declaration on fundamental principals and rights at work.

Mr. Banda said government is also concerned with the tendency by some employers to take advantage of the large labour supply in the country to disregard the relevant labour laws and abuse of workers rights.

He said government has further observed that some employers are engaging in practices that undermine efforts aimed at promoting job security.

And President Banda has disclosed that government is in the process of reviewing the technical education, vocational and entrepreneurship training policy.

He explained that the review will help make skills development more relevant to the changing needs.

Mr. Banda has since urged workers in the country to continue developing and improving skills to enhance productivity.

He noted that collective efforts towards high productivity can help grow the country’s economy adding that there is need to develop a culture of hard work and dedication to duty.

President Banda has also commended the labour movement and workers in the country for maintaining harmony in the past year despite the many challenges they encountered.

He said the labour leaders must be commended for providing honest and constructive leadership despite the pressure to protect their members from investors who would want to take advantage of the financial crisis.

Mr. Banda has also observed that the country’s financial sector has remained buoyant as compared to some countries which have experienced the collapse of some financial institutions resulting form the global financial crisis.

He attributed the position to the measures government has put in place to mitigate the impact of the economic down turn.

Mr. Banda said government has in this year’s budget focused on implementing measures to address job losses experienced and enable economic recovery in a short time.

Meanwhile President Banda advised mine operators whose operations are unprofitable to hand their mines over to government.

He said government is also currently working towards finding other investors to take over the operations of Luanshya Copper Mines which is currently under maintenance and care.

Mr. Banda said government is also considering the recommendation from the recently held indaba of putting in place a task force to review the operations of the entire mining industry.

The president has since reiterated his earlier call for the tripartite consultative labour council to actively participate in company closure issues and the laying off of workers.

And speaking earlier Zambia Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) President Leonard Hikaumba said it is unacceptable for mining companies to retrench workers as a cost serving measure after making profits from record high copper prices less that a year ago.

Mr. Hikaumba said called upon government to embark on law reforms to effectively address issues in the labour market.

He also urged government through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to step up labour inspection to ensure decency in work places.

And the ZCTU President has asked Zesco to consider increasing its clientele in rural areas as a measure to raise funds for its operations as opposed to increasing its earlier proposed tariffs.

Mr. Hikaunba said increasing electricity tariffs will further jeopardize job security among workers in the country.

And International Labour Organisation (ILO) Country Representative Gerry Finnegan has called on government to ratify additional labour standards in the country.

ZANIS/CM/AM/ENDS