SHOPRITE Zambia Limited has incurred a K6 billion loss following a four-day strike by its workers, Muvi TV reported on its evening news monitored in Lusaka on April 1.
And the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has urged investors to respect and observe the country’s labour laws to avoid industrial unrest.
Shoprite director for Africa Gerald Fitz talked about the monetary loss in Lusaka on April 1.
And the company has reinstated all unionised workers from all outlets countrywide. The workers were dismissed on Thursday for staging an illegal strike.
The reprieve of about 1,800 workers follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) among Africa Super Market, the owners of Shoprite, National Union of Commercial and Industrial Workers (NUCIW) and Government.
Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony in Lusaka on April 1, Minister of Labour and Social Security Austin Liato said Government and Shoprite management resolved to reinstate the workers after reaching consensus to pay them their past service arrears.
Mr Liato said negotiations among the three parties had been successful and that management resolved to start depositing pension money in the workers’ bank accounts soon.
He said management also resolved to pay 50 percent of the past service arrears to all workers, with immediate effect, through the African Life Pensions and another 50 percent of the past arrears to be paid in instalments over a period of 10 years.
“We are happy that this matter has now been settled, and both parties are happy that we have arrived at a consensus without any misunderstanding,” Mr Liato said.
He said Shoprite management will also draft a contract for its workers and the document will be submitted to his office for approval.
He, however, warned Shoprite employees against taking the law into their own hands by going on strike without the consent of employers and Government.
Mr Liato said Government will in future not protect employees who will stage illegal strikes because this is affecting the enforcement of the country’s labour laws.
“The increasing incidence of labour-related disputes and conflicts between employers and employees in Zambia has continued to raise concerns about the existence and implementation or enforcement of the country’s labour laws.
“Issues related to industrial peace are sensitive. These could affect both national and domestic production, apart from the respective industries.
Therefore, in future, my ministry will not protect workers who will strike illegally,” he said.
Mr Liato warned employees against shifting the blame on Government whenever there is an industrial dispute between them and their employers.
He also advised investors to adhere to the country’s labour laws to avoid causing unnecessary industrial disputes in the country.
And KANYANTA KATONGO reports that ZCTU director of public relations and international affairs Martin Chembe said in a statement in Lusaka on April 1 that the observance of labour laws will help to prevent unnecessary strikes at work places.
Zambia has signed and domesticated international labour instruments through the Industrial and Labour Relations Act Cap 269, the Employment Act Cap 268, Minimum Wage and Conditions of Service Act Cap 276 and many other pieces of legislation.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
I salute all the parties involved for resolving this unrest amicably. Zambian labour laws are archaic and need to revised to protect the interests of workers. Intimidating workers through threats of dismisal should the outlawed. The spirit of negotation, dialogue and and healthy realations betweeen workers, employers and the government should be encouraged in the labour market to avoid unnecessary labour strife.
Okay, so when can we go shopping?
Yes it victory for the workers. Shoprite could have avoided a loss of K6Billion if it had not taken the wokers complaints for granted. This loss will not only affect Shoprite but other stakeholders in the distribution chain right from here to South Africa. The labour Ministry should ensure that the country’s labour laws are respected by all be they foreign investors and locals. In fact there are some locals who are worse than Shoprite. One wonders what the labour inspectors do. There are someworkers who just work for transport costs and nothing to save. The labour office should inspect some clearing and forwarding firms country wide they are worse than Shoprite and workers cant express their plight because they dont have any labour representation. No victimisation of union/ ring leaders
Good news. At least the issue has been resolved.
Felicitations to Shoprite staff and management for resolving the standoff.
good news but that 10years is too long for the other 50% to be paid off
Liato: warned the workers!! 4 what? These guys love to instill fear in people.
#7 you are right.
Good Job Liato. For once you showed your experience as a trade unionist, something FTJ failed to do when he was president. I pitty you guys having to clean up what FTJ and his choir of yes men which includes a vocal opposition party President. shame.
In a democracy, the trade union is supposed to call for a strike action, they don’t need permission from the government or the employers. In the UK, when British airways workers go on strike, I have never heard of a situation where unionised workers are dismissed, it is their right. FTJ destroyed trade union movement and turned Zambian workers into slaves. 20 years in power, MMD has failed to deliver a set of simple straight forward labour laws which foreigners and Zambians alike can understand. What a shame!
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Are the Zambian employees now going to be full-time employees instead of temporary workers? This is a disgrace since we all know that Shoprite originates from South Africa, a country with one of the best constitutions. It is important that all Zambian workers are full-time employees from 2011 or else we can re-nationalize them.