Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Felix Mutati has called on public service workers to exercise restraint in their demands for increased salaries and other conditions of service in view of the shrunken government revenue base brought about by the global economic crisis.
Mr. Mutati has since appealed to public service workers to appreciate government’s inability to meet their demands due to budgetary limitations.
He was speaking in Cape Town, South Africa, last night when he addressed Zambians resident there.
He was drawn to the matter by one of the residents who wanted government’s reaction to demands for higher salaries and improved conditions of service for public service workers.
Mr. Mutati said government’s revenue base has been severely affected by the global economic crunch which has resulted in closure of some of the country’s principal sources of income, such as the mines and other companies.
He, however, said government is working hard to diversify the economy from dependence on copper to other sectors, such as tourism and agriculture, as a long term measure to grow the economy and improve the living conditions of the Zambian people.
The minister urged Zambians in the Diaspora to be good ambassadors in selling Zambia’s investment potential to investors.
He said government has put in place a conducive investment climate ideal for all levels of investors from micro, medium to large scale investments.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mutati, says revelations of corrupt practices in some government ministries and other public institutions are a sign that government has put in place right mechanisms in the fight against corruption.
He said government is happy with the good work the office of the Auditor General and other law enforcement agencies were doing in exposing various financial scams and corrupt practices so that perpetrators of such vices face the wrath of the law.
He said the recent revelation of the K27 billion scam at the Ministry of Health is an example that those that want to take short-cuts to get rich will not escape the long arm of the law.
Mr. Mutati said recent approval of the Anti Corruption Policy by Cabinet, among other measures, is a demonstration of President Rupiah Banda’s commitment to zero-tolerance of corruption.
He explained that the policy aims at enhancing the role and capacity of the ACC in the crusade against corruption.[quote]
At the same function, Bank of Zambia Governor, Dr Caleb Fundanga, said Zambia’s financial sector has remained vibrant despite the global economic meltdown.
Dr Fundanga said no single bank has collapsed, but instead more new banks continue to be opened in the country, a sign of a promising economy despite the current global financial turbulence.
Speaking earlier, President Banda’s political advisor, Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika, told the audience that looking at the pace of constitutional reform process by the NCC, it was possible to have a new constitution in place before the 2011 presidential and general elections.
Mr. Lewanika added that Zambia’s multi-party democracy is taking root as evidenced in the competition for office by various political players during elections.
And in his welcome remarks, Chairman of the Zambian Community in Cape Town, David Phiri, called on the government to establish a consular office in Cape Town that would represent and protect the interests of the growing list of Zambian nationals resident there.
Mr. Phiri said the consular office would also help promote economic and commercial relations between Zambia and Cape Town and foster social and cultural co-operation between Zambia and South Africa.
He said Cape Town has about 4,000 Zambian nationals engaged in various occupations who find it difficult to access consular services at the Zambia High Commission in Pretoria, which is thousands of kilometers away.
Mr. Phiri also appealed to the government to speed up the processing of new passports for Zambians resident in Cape Town. He said a number of them have applied through the High Commission in Pretoria but it is taking long for the new passports to be processed in Lusaka, a situation that has adversely affected the residents.
ENDS/EB/AM/ZANIS
Ba Mutati mule ikalafye, why does it have to be poor civil servants to always sacrifice whilst you ministers are spending lavishly
Iwe Mutati your you get a big salary just keep quiet.
Bwana minister how about the billions that are going into people pockets. My advice is that you sit down with the DONORS since they are the ones who determine what you pay the civil servants. Tell them that what is causing workers to abuse the funds is low salaries and ask them to allow up the increment from more than 15%. But of course you are not worried because you come from one of the very well to do families
How came there was no restraint when you were awarding yourselves hefty salaries at a time when the economy was nose diving and other countries actually reducing theirs. Are you telling me that you did not see this coming?? I am a bit disappointed with you bwana Mutati. I thought you were one of the few MMDs bootlickers with some kind of reasoning
Its easy to say that when you are always gallivanting all over getting per diem & those silly allowances.Mutati we still remember how you left |ZESCO unceremoniously
Mutati bad manners, have you ever paid house rentals with the K160,000 I get per month. and feed your family with K600,000.00 per month. Walipena. SHUT YOUR BIG MOUTH. Just thank the almighty GOD that you are not a civil servant.. God is watching you.
Matworld how are you this morning?
Bwana Minister,you started by giving yourselves hefty salaries and allowance.Today others should exercise restraint when u yourselves failed to do even when the public advised you.This is hypocrisy.
For Matworld to even get worked up @ #2 means Mutati is talking non.sense!! And he chooses Cape town to issue such rub.bish!! Ichi.mona!!
Ba mutati . . . twalimuchidika nomba kwati mwaya sana . . . mwikalefye – people say “tondolo musuma” . . . did u show restraint when you awarded yourselves millions of our money in parliament?
Mr fundanga said zambia’s financial sector has remained vibrant despite the economy meltdown which means our economy is doing fine, so what is mutati talking about? just give the healthy workers their dues. how much do you get mr mutati? does it mean that you do a lot of work than a doctor?the answer is big NO. YOU ARE PAID A LOT OF FOR DOING NOTHING, But just attending meetings abroad while the permanent secretary is busy working for you.
Yaba
Please come and address these health workers here at home than elsewhere. People are paid your change and you are there saying “due to budgetary limitations” You choose to make that statement out side home when innocent pipo are dying. Very sad indeed.
There will be no backing down on the demands by striking civil servants because we know that the MMD govt gave themselves incredible salary hikes. Why should there be no money for the real workers, the civil servants? The scum at MoH was revealed by Kapoko’s jilted lover not ‘government has put in place right mechanisms in the fight against corruption’ as Mutati said in South Africa. Zambians have been taken for granted for too long by those in govt, this time it will be different. We know there will be casualties but every war has its own share of colateral damage. Lets Roll Zambians, stand up & be counted. Away with the MMD, Abash SHREK
Bushe Banda achili mu hospital?
We shall only apperciate that when you also forgo your gratuity.
Ba mutati muli chipuba. which is bigger your K28m per month or civil servant’s K0.6m per month; your K480m gratuity per 2 years or civil servant’s K2m gratuity for 25 years.
Hard times are ahead.
Watchman nabu lasa, mutati is one of the respected ministers, but there he spoke nonsense. we know money is there, its just priorities.
Mwisho Felix Mutati dont demonise civil servants demanding higher salaries due low revenue collection by GRZ. That is a lie ZRA last financial year collected above budget and we continue seeing leaders including yourself flying in and out of Zambia. Locally you drive SUV and get hefty salaries as though you are in the corporate world. Looking at you, you are more happier in your Ministerial position than your days at National Hotels and Zesco. We the under paid workers see waht is on the table and that is why we demand a bigger part. We know when to demand because we see what you leaders take away. The ANIMAL FARM MENTALITY you have created as MMD will never make you ride on our backs forever. Time will come
Mr Minister, Be realistic, you know very well what hardships these exploited civil servants are going through on their megre wages and if you have nothing sensible to offer just shut up!
Do unto others as you’would like others to unto you. Mutati know when to open your mouth and when keep quiet and i guess this is not the time for you to open it. F@@lish man!!!!
felix mutati
Mutati &Co. should start appreciating first our demands before they ask the people to appreciate. His collegue Musokotwane, with impiunity told the nation how they are going to pay each other hefty mid term gratuities this year. How many countries in our regeon get midterm gratuities? and hefty ones at that? Mutati is a big disappointment could he advise his collegues to appreciate and understand the workers demands and then shut up pliz.
Are there no people fighting on this blog anymore? Am bored Guys. Give me something please
some pipo can really be “nuts,” what understanding is he talking about?
if there were shops in zambia where the civil servants go to buy other than where politicians buy, cheaper rented houses for civil servants, free medical and good schools to take our children he could say that. now, us the civil servants and the well paid ministers and Mps all buy from shoprite, what nonsese to ask us to go back and understand! my foot!!!!!!!!!!!!
Equally MMD grz should appreciate the conditions underwhich civil servants work, hence they should give them the living wage that they demand. Its easy for Mutati to ‘vomit’ such words because he is very comfortable as a ‘nyandule’
Rubbish, iwe mutati just keep yo mouth shut. am personall very annoyed with a ka 15% increament which is translating into 140pin Do you think that is normal?.
We have respected you all along and we do appreciate your work but this statement is rubbish.!! twalakubwelamo.
Bloggers….as much as u are asking Mutati to be realistic,i urge you to take the same path. 15% is waht GRZ can offer …mind you this is from an initial 7.5%. These mid term gratuities u are bringing in are pipo’s emoluments that have nothing to do with this. When you are fighting for something its always advisable to base your argument on YOU .Next pipo will say that Fundanga’s salary must be withheld till Doctors get what they want.These strikes are an annual ceremony and Fred and Company want to make it seem as if its a Harleys comet activity….let them get the 15% and hand their jackets ,leave the offices and continue with their normal business…NOTHING.
I am very disappointed with “Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Felix Mutati has called on public service workers to exercise restraint in their demands for increased salaries and other conditions of service in view of the shrunken government revenue base brought about by the global economic crisis.” Attributed to Mr Mutati?
Is this the man people claim can rule Zambia properly with such comments? Why are his fellow Consttutional Office bearers not asking MMD GRZ President RB Banda to get their money reduced through Parliament if the so-called Grobal Economic Crises is that hitting hard on Zambia?
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Prevention is better than cure.
why are u speaking from South Africa? is that were civil servants are sticking, Just shut up
As for “Speaking earlier, President Banda’s political advisor, Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika, told the audience that looking at the pace of constitutional reform process by the NCC, it was possible to have a new constitution in place before the 2011 presidential and general elections” , are these signs that the New Constitution is not coming our way as Zambians before 2011?
It is now appearing like President RB Banda and his MMD fellow members in GRZ are willing to claim there is no time to have the ney constitution before 2011 and so allow Pesident RB Banda through re-election to complete the work on the Constitution as a campaign message against the Undereducate Sata who is against a new Constitution and NCC’s work.
SAD.
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Prevention is better than…
Zambia has been conned.We followed the I.M.F. policies as follows
1.Restructure Government Department(SAP)
2.Corporatisation
3.Privatisation
4.Shares-initially only 49% overseas
5.Shares- increase to over 51% overseas
6.Investors from overseas
Notice now,that without these investors,Zambia will collapse economically as you have been already cleverly conned into the selling up your major assets.There is a lot on the agenda.Politicians are only pawns in this game.Prepare for hard times ahead.
Guys let me tell u what, everyone who does not stay in Zambia (who stays abroad) is given respect and recognition than those who have remained back home. Look, Mutwatwi should be addressing the people directly affected and in this case, the civil servants back home but opted to address Zambian residents in SA, what is this? A minister gets K40million salary per month plus other allowances such as responsibility (K21million for rural MPs), free fuel for ten to twelve vehicles at home, two maids and a garden boy, no payments of utilities (water, electricity, phone etc). Where is equity or equality here? pipo don’t want to get ministers salaries but at least there must be equity and equality according to the levels. the gap is far too
wide. think about it twice or more, if this kind of gap
I find this man to be a comedian, why did he decide to go to SA to say such rubish? Why didint he say that to the pipo in Zed who are affected by this problem. Next time please Mr Bwana, think before you talk. atase.
would eradicate corruption. I fore see a situation where almost all the parents in civil service are going to end up in prison leaving babies only at home. U can prove this by going ministry to ministry and dept to dept seriously auditing. try it and see the results yourselves. Something is really really wrong somewhere. Check it b4 time!
Ba Felido, leave bubbling to bena tetamashimba tafyamulinga. Just make ur money in silence.
these guyz are clowns,let them have their salaries reduced so that some is given to the civil servants n c what they will do.i bet their goina be the 1st onez to complain
ba mutati m not sure u are talking 2 the appropriate pipo in sa,those pipo are well of,come to zed n address us here
Kudyelana masuku pamutu.
Govt has failed! Period! Impeach Bwezani!
Mutati should remember one of obama’s first announcements after getting into office – A salary freeze for everyone at White House. tha is called Leadership.
UNLESS FOR YOURS MUTATI.
Ba Mutati it is simple and straight foward, all the miniaters shoulder have had listened to the advice of zambians regard your and their parks. Now since including yourself did’nt, its now time to face the pain we felt at what you were doing
…i am with the civil servants on this one, i work for a private company and if i was getting what the civil servants get i don’t know how i would survive. Its just not fair that u can get such mediocre salaries, it’s wrong. It’s so $%#@^&* wrong!
The gap between what civil servants are paid and what political office holders earn is TOOO WIDE in Zambia. If unchecked will bring civil strife.
shut up chi mutati
It’s a shame to have such an insensitive leadership.
#28, u must be related to Fundanga or one of the Thieves in Govt. If u are comfortable, ikala fye mune.
it is interesting to see what is happening in zambia – there is comedy at it’s best..have YOU bloggers noticed that – in the last two weeks or so that:
1. VICE PRESIDENT KUNDA HAS NOT UTTERED ANY WORD ABOUT THE STRIKE
2. ZCTU PRESIDENT HIKAUMBA HAS NOT SAID A WORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
viva strike…..Zambians have been taken for granted by these D.U.L.L politicians. Viva REVOLUTION !!!!
this is how revolution starts. slowly but sure. VIVA REVOLUTION
Wow, somehow I have no one believe anymore. People have mentioned Mutati to be a Presidential material, but with such statements, he really looks like he is a Chitenge material. Who appreciates poverty? 95% of civil servants in Zambia live under the poverty datum line, and this guy is asking for more suffering of these people. What a joke he is?
# 28, Keep that advice locked up to yourself!! I thought Mutati was one the few sensible Ministers in Government, but alas ……………… He is blind to reality also.
Felix you better be on side of workers, you are a top contender for MMD presido candidacy, because RB has already failed, no one has noticed him as president except Chipolopolo fans. Katele nao imilandu tayapwa. And stop misusing that “world economical-whatever”, which has nothing to do with your government perfomance.
2011 we need change!!!!!!
all these politicians have out lived their usefullness.imagine these politicians have been in this game from the time i was born,went to school,had tertiary education ,got married and now i have children going to school,they are still in politics.honestly what are they still offering.zambians all these politicians should go nowander they are daily insulting each other and protecting theft.they have no better solutions .lets get somebody young to lead us.why is mutati cheating .has he forgotten where he came from.when thrown out of politics they get affected easily and cry loudest.please we are tired of your cheap politics.DONORS SQEEZE THEM.TWANAKA PAFULA.NOW what was maureen mwanawasa s capacity in cape town meeting using tax payers money.this expenditure is irrational by govt .
I respected this man… my respect for him on this matter has diminished. I just found myself calling him an Idi.. His government is perpetrating mass injustice on its people and all you can say is exercise restraint. I think you have taken Zambian people too far and for granted. Before making those imbecile utterances why haven’t you explained to the Zambian people why your government decised to buy those hearses and just about to buy mobile hospitals worse still gratuities to ministers. Who is a servant here, is it Zambian people or the ministers! Mutati you are getting that gratuity so you are compromised and in no position to utter thoise anoying utterances! People are suffering look at your priorities. Indeni has no money to buy stock. We are a nation for crying out loud!
rt
number 55,its true we need change in 2011….the new generation should take over,but not the MMD as they now invalid
Pa Zed Ndishi vonse nikudyamo? awe kwena your friends wants increaments and some so called “”I wont mention”” first Nikuba dyesamo and then BANKALA ziiiiiiii… nipa Zed
IWE Mutati Unvela mushe iwe pamene ulili. CHIWAMILA GALU KU LUMA MBUZI
comrade Mutati we thought you are a good Leader, but you are one of the fellows who increased your allowances by 100% ,what can you tell people,we are being taxed heavily in order to pay you huge allawances and you want to get your K400 Million Midterm gratuity,is this crisis for the poor Only. Don’t fool us.If you are a genuine Leader reject the mid term gratuity and surrender your Posh vehicles you own.We don’t vote for to be our masters.
ba mutati pliz u are the pipos choice were zambian politics is concerned help us see right at the end of the turnel we nid u pliz dont degrade your integrity.am now commanding u in the name of jesus to sort out the issue of ZAMTEL NOW I DONT WANT TO SUFFER AM JUST 37 please zambian pipo are judging who the best person is.RESPECT THE ZAMBIAN.
Please Zambians let us wakeup ,these politcians will contine fooling us imagine how much will be spent on 150 MPs K60,000,000,000.00 can they convince us that there is no money in Government coffers, SATA is right Tax can be reduced if we can have leaders who would Love their people. Please Bwezani and his quacks should all go Come 2011 and seize all they own, KK new what would happen when politicians do business,this is the reason we are the poores in Souther Region Second to Zimbabwe. Let us Have change in 2011.
How dare you go and take probs to SA. Efyo muleibila. Its very sad that we pick such people to lead us.
Please Jehovah come and help us.
Imwe Mutati ampapisha. I thot he was one guy with brains out there, kanshi nimbwa nayo. am sad.
bushe lesa eko aba?
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