Government is happy with the positive response from striking nurses and other health workers in some parts of the country to return to work.
And Chief government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has urged striking nurses and medical staff who are still on strike to take seriously the warning and ultimatum by Health Minister, kapembwa Simbao, that they risk losing their jobs if they do not report for work on Monday.
In statement in Lusaka last evening, Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha reminded medical workers who have stayed away from work without authority for more than 10 days as required by the Public Service Code of Conduct that they could be dismissed for engaging in an illegal strike.
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha, who is also Minster of Information and Broadcasting services, said the action is also a breach of the Florence Nightgale pledge to save human life, which they swore upon graduation.
He reiterated that failure by striking nurses to report for work on Monday June, 29, will lead to serious disciplinary action resulting in dismissal from work.
He also said the vacant positions will be offered to retired nurses and other health workers including those from countries in the Southern African region.
Meanwhile, he urged striking nurses, who are still on strike and may be afraid of harassment from fellow workers that government has put in place sufficient security measures to prevent victimization.
He said government has been more than accommodating in having not taken this action against those on strike on an understanding that they will on their own appreciate the illegality of their action.
He stressed that there is need for nurses to heed the advice of their union leaders to resume work following the collective agreement signed to pay 15 per cent wage increase.
The Minister further observed that the Ministry of health and their unions has agreed to discuss other concerns regarding the conditions of service and to this effect President Rupiah Banda has directed that a committee be set up address the workers concerns.
ZANIS
Again
He cheating, you can not be all fired.
Long live Florence Nightgale and our government, lets put human life first. long live Florence Nightgale
Nurse form the region are better paid why would they want to come and work in Zambia.On second thoughts,Zimbabwian nurses can flock to Zambia.
Vampires!!! Surely do you expect someone to work from 1 up to 30 for K600. Shame on you Shikapwasha, why dont you surrender your gratuity to save human life, if you have the heart and feelings you claim.
Listen to this fool talking. He thinks retired nurses would be the solution? God help us!!
He thinks he’s talking to kids who would easily get scared. Does he think it is easy to employ new people just like that. And which nurses from neigbouring countries in their right minds would want to come and work unders such terrible conditions?
yes gud these hoes have decided to go back
Bufi…they are using propaganda. They are just doing it to bring about imaginary divisions amongst the striking force. Some of us have have reliable sources to prove this at least as of the time of doing this article.
Do you see how effective media can be?
….hahahha…LOL!!!
“…and to this effect President Rupiah Banda has directed that a committee be set up address the workers concerns.”
Whose money are they going to use in setting up such. Why re-invent the wheel. Is this the new way of life in Zambia that when ever Govt fails they have to formulate an endless chain of committees and inquires? Katwishi ngafikabapo bwino pa ZED!
Iwe chiShikapwasha, release the ZNBC Audit report. We have seen a write up from someone who has seen it. If you don’t release the report we will post the write up in our possession on public websites. Mwalilya money ya ku ZNBC. The write up is entitled in a twist of if you pay it will show, “If you pay, it will be stolen”.
Salasini and other directors at ZNBC need to join Kapoko at Chimbokaila because what has happened there has actually put Kapoko in the shade.
Iwe chi Shikapwasha, release the ZNBC Audit report. We have a seen a write up by a patriotic citizen who has seen a copy. We know that what happened at the national broadcaster actually puts Kapoko in the shade. Balilya money bakapala.
iwe naiwe sweet zed wat are u on about ..wat proof have u got uko ku amelika? eh? ubufi!!! atase..yaba
This chap is very dull.I thought the first thing he was going to say was that he had finished studying the ZNBC audit report and what follows is blablabla and then talk about other things.Dont just threaten nurses meet them half way in their demands.Efyo bakolwe bakula misundila pa mapala.
Strange thoughts from the Honourable Reverand Lt Gen. Ronnie. He wants to employ health workers from sounthern region. I know where they will come from. Southern Rhodesia or the new Zimbabwe. It is the birth place of Rupiah Banda.. Well done Rupiah for negotiating to employ your country men and women. That is what we call loyalty!!! Stuff them Zambian nurses……….hahahahah
It is as if they are threatening kids. Who is going to leave the other Southern African countries to come to work in Zambia when in the region with the exception of Zimbabwe health professionals are least paid in Zambia. Kwena MMD kuya bebele!
THE ZNBC AUDIT REVEALS GLARING INSIGHTS INTO THE CONTINUED ABUSE OF STATE RESOURCES BY THOSE TASKED AND ENTRUSTED TO USE IT FOR PUBLIC GOOD. FEAR HAS EMERGED THAT THERE ARE SERIOUS ATTEMPTS TO SUBVERT THE FINDINGS OF AN AUDIT CONDUCTED BY THE AUDITOR GENERAL’S OFFICE, BETWEEN 6TH-31ST MAY 2009. ARE THERE OFFICIALS AT MINISTRY OF INFORMATION USING OBFUSCATING METHODS TO HIDE THE CRIMES AT ZNBC?
When workers of ZNBC saw the multi-billion kwacha complex, housing offices and residence being built and owned by their Director General Joseph Salasini, they suspected that their money and that of the citizen had been stolen!
To ZNBC workers the complex built on Haille Selasie Road opposite the Swedish Embassy in Lusaka, represented the impunity of thieving civil servants accumulating…
THE ZNBC AUDIT REVEALS GLARING INSIGHTS INTO THE CONTINUED ABUSE OF STATE RESOURCES BY THOSE TASKED AND ENTRUSTED TO USE IT FOR PUBLIC GOOD. FEAR HAS EMERGED THAT THERE ARE SERIOUS ATTEMPTS TO SUBVERT THE FINDINGS OF AN AUDIT CONDUCTED BY THE AUDITOR GENERAL’S OFFICE, BETWEEN 6TH-31ST MAY 2009. ARE THERE OFFICIALS AT MINISTRY OF INFORMATION USING OBFUSCATING METHODS TO HIDE THE CRIMES AT ZNBC?
The report was adverse on the Board, on Salasini and his management.
The report revealed that ZNBC had incurred losses of K1, 821,145,000.00 in 2006 and the losses had escalated to K5, 072,962,000.00 in 2007 and an undisclosed huge amount in 2008!
The report also stated that the 74 management staff receive 43% of the total income of the payroll while the rest of the 343 unionised workers share the 57% crumbs!
The report notes cases where the Board received irregular sitting and quarterly allowances. In one case the Board received arrears of up-to K104million when the Minister through a minute dated 12th November 2008, approved an upward adjustment. This followed a request by the Board to increase its sitting and quarterly allowances. The payment to the Board Members was backdated to 1st July 2008.
For unknown reason, the Director of Finance, who is a key player to the institution’s payments, was incorporated in the Board and was made eligible to receive sitting and quarterly allowances contrary to the ZNBC Act.
Over a period of two years, the Board held over 44 meetings and were paid allowances totalling of K384, 300,000.00.
Boards are expected to meet quarterly to review performance and adopt management reports, translating to at-least four times a year. The ZNBC Board held 22 meetings a year! Unless there are compelling circumstances that would justify the Board or its created sub-committees, to meet in special circumstances but 44 Board meetings appear excess.
The report also states that ZNBC has not produced annual financial reports for the last three years as required by the Act.
The audit report also criticised ZNBC’s ‘barter system’. The corporation has 55 clients owing ZNBC a total of over K5.2 billion. In exchange of air time, the institution is expected to receive goods and services. There exist no controls to monitor what is collected and who collects what from the 55 clients.
The report also cited special ‘partnerships’ that Salasini has introduced. For example, Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) ran by Board Member Elias Mphondela, has partnered with ZNBC over the promotion of its project Inter Company Relay (ICR) since 2002.
In 2007, instead of paying K173, 489,674.08 ICR only paid K87, 799,329.70.
In 2009, the ICR would pay ZNBC a sum of K120, 000,000.00 instead of the total cost of air-time worth K383, 489,674.08!
The report also states that tax on gratuity for Directors amounting K680, 169,201.00 accruing between 2005 and 2008 was evaded!
Management contends that tax for its staff relating to pensions and benefits is picked up by the Corporation!
The report refers this to be a criminal act as it amounts to tax evasion. Contrary to tax regulations, management was computing tax on retirement packages and gratuity using PAYE contrary to requirements of Terminal rates. To this effect, a colossal amount of K7, 229,870, 494.59 (K7.2 billion) has been written off between the period of April 2003-March 2009!
Lt Gen Shikapwasha, please release the report. The above extracts just shows that you are not the only one in possession of the same. Leave the nurses alone for now. Go after the Salasi-nners at ZNBC and others in the state media. We also know of how your PS bought an expensive printing machine for the Zambia Daily Mail when cheaper ones were available. MWAPYA GUYS.
The Post has one of the best printing press and was only procured for about USD400, 000.00 (K2billion).
It is therefore strange that the Zambia Daily Mail has chosen to pay for USD3million for a printing press! The Board went to Botswana to see firsthand the equipment they wish to buy for Daily Mail. A local agent of Hong HUA Machinery of Taiwan won the tender and will supply a NEWSWEB Printing press with capacity to 35,000 copies per hour. Currently Daily Mail operates the ancient LINO printing Press. Daily Mail prints about 7000 – 9000 copies everday and its circulation hovers around 7000- 14,000.
I have seen the pictures of a woman giving birth. Very bad mwe.
chikuni nayimwe as if u dont watch worse things eh
Mr. Chimona please you must be aware that everytime you open your mouth, you create thousands enemies. Try to be quiet sometimes on issues you least understand. How many retired nurses are there who can excute their duties deligently? You also said positions will be advertised in papers so that even people in sadc region could apply, are you they will accept these peanuts or them will have a better pay? If so why cant you just work your figures right and let our health works have a decent lifestyle. Stupid Shikapwasha.
Kwandangala… tiye man more data please??? I think senior Citizen is involved in this corruption at ZNBC. He was a Director fimo fimo there. Its really sad that our money is being stollen just like that. So Shikapwasha, pay the nurses their due…we have money.
#25 Kambongolo, nachlayeba ati mwalatendwa. Ingi data.
Mr Chikuni ## 22 where can l find this picture?
Ba Rev you are a big liar what positive response are you talking about?
govenment spokesperson are u tonga?
This man sickenss me. To hell with you
Kwandangala, say more that is making sense,despite your blog was one after the other a question, do you work for LT?But i like your memo hear! hea!.
Now GRZ should not mock these medical staff, let them just help and solve this sistuation seriously than what is being done at the moment
Ala uyu muntu aliba dull ,nshatalamonapo.Mu mutwe mwaisulafye amenshi period,so tapali ifya mano efyo akalanda po.
Wow…Does the govt even care about the future of hardworking Zambian people…. Chiluba sold Zed assets without protecting the interests of the Zambian people. Now the goverment would rather pay South African nurses than Zambian nurses . These same Z nurses are people’s daughters, someone’s wife, aunt, grandmother, sister, friend and need to feed a family PLUS they do pay this same goverment tax to get their pay increase, spends and keeps money in Zambian banks, votes for you, looks after your relatives who do not have money to fly to S/Africa when ill. I have never heard such an uncaring destructive statement to the health system in Zambia. What are your plans to help Zambians? I thought our nurses were a good sector to begin with.Do you even care about the future generation?
“He also said the vacant positions will be offered to retired nurses and other health workers including those from countries in the Southern African region”. Clearly shows this man doesn`t know Zambian nurses are the lowest paid in the region. Why would a South African nurse come to work in Zambia and be paid £110? Did he mean Zairean nurses? Yeah they will jump at anything. Naya mukulosha Wacko bane. Neverland.
Viva to the Zambiam health workers. Who does this old man think he is threatening. Continue with your well intended strike action.
No comment until without my lawyer’s approval.
whatever LOL
On “He also said the vacant positions will be offered to retired nurses and other health workers including those from countries in the Southern African region”, I hope this is not a joke for may be only Zimbabweans could consider to settle for bad conditions of service in Zambia.
Sadly, it appears that GRZ through Minister Shikapwasha is desperate now in their quest to have the nurses back to work.
As for the nurses that are still on strike, pleas do what is best for you for you can not be taken very cheap when MPs, Ministers and other Constitutional Office bearers are enjoying Zambian money.
_
Matthew 6:33 + KJV Bible.
So its not only financial scums at Health Ministry but all GRZ institutions. ZNBC has always bin a problem. Some years back there were some irregularaties in the procurement of Out Side Broadcasting equipment and hire of staff bus. Nothing happened those involved got scot free with full benefits. Now we are being forced to subscribe ma 3pins per month through Zesco under the concept of Better TV. That translates into a lot of money and we are not benefiting in any way. ZNBC as a natiuonal Broadcaster is supposed to self-sustaining but what do we receive in return poor news quality and programmes. Shikapwasha has no right to sit on the report as stakeholders we need to know and read for ourselves the AG’s audit report. PS Nyirenda has forgotten what happened a few yrs ago and is at it…
don’t run a govt full of threats instead of solving out the real issues thru dialogue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!