The Federation for Free Trade Unions in Zambia (FFTUZ) has called for issue based campaigns in the run up to this year’s general elections.
FFTUZ President Joyce Nonde Simukoko said all political parties should consider the need to conduct peaceful elections that will bring dignity to the country and avoid name calling.
Mrs. Simukoko told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that political parties should instead engage voters by meeting organized groups of people and explain their manifestoes.
She has also called on politicians to respect the office of president as the person elected is president for all Zambians and not just for his party.
“We want to see the normal way of doing things in this year’s elections. Political parties should try as much as possible to engage some organized groups and sell their manifestoes,” she said.
Mrs. Simukoko has, meanwhile, emphasized that trade unions and workers will support political parties which will look into their plight.
She said workers want parties to develop manifestoes that will protect existing jobs and see the creation of more quality jobs.
She explained that the creation of more jobs was cardinal and would ensure the formation of a vibrant labour movement.
Mrs. Simukoko added that the federation is currently studying political party manifestoes to see which party it will endorse in this year’s elections.
She reiterated that the federation will only support parties that will abide by the United Nations labor conventions and also guarantee a pension scheme for workers.
Mrs. Simukoko has meanwhile welcomed this year’s theme of Labour Day celebrations which is ‘creating secure employment with freedom, equity, and human dignity.’
She said the theme should, however, be translated into action by creating quality jobs.
Whatever happened to this once vibrant trade unionist? Lately she haz sounded very soft on government and slowly strangling FFTUZ to death in a manner similar to the “defunct” ZCTU.
#1 That is a no brainer my friend, we have done research and I will tell you what happened to her for free and here it is
She got married to Mr Simukoko, who has a small aside business that has workers and has access to MMD govt contracts. So she knows the side of the bread that is buttered and pitcoat government ended in the 70s.
There you have it.
Research results courtesy of Matero University Research unit
Yes Mrs Simukoko, workers must support political parties which will look into their plight just as the youths must support HH. Why should the the majority Zambian youths vote for a grandfather who will end up appointing fellow grandies into key postions at the expense of the youths? Politics is about taking care of your interests and the interests of the nation. Sata & RB are mainly supported by old people because they expect them to give them jobs. These same old people are against HH because they fear that he won’t appoint them to key positions. HH will take care of the oldies but allow the young to drive the economy.
When we were predicting doom for the pact there were many people who have difficulties understanding things ; they opposed and gave responces that were bereft of logic.Simukoko is simply analytical. She knows what she is talking about.
madam since you got married u ar in vain ad you hav ben so quiet why? now we know now you are eating with mmd shame on you we ar voting for PF no matter waht happens i gues now you even get some contracts from the goverment with your husband who does business?????????
Plz madam not so long ago your union said opposition not ready to takeover govt. Now today you are saying that you are studying political parties manifestos so as to endorse one party for elections 2011. Pipo, is this not hypocrisy?
Ba PF, where are you? Tell us whether PF will adhere to these basic elements of any political party worth its salt. Your usual line of “he or she has been bought” simply won’t wash. In fact it is boring, how can any single person buy off ALL Zambians mwebantu? For once please show us some element of reasoning.
This lady has let the POOR people down. This is what marriage can do…….Or could she be scared that GRZ will force her out of labour movement since she is not an employee of any financial institution let alone investigate her for all those crimes