The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has called on politicians to desist from politicizing the Labour Day that is held to commemorate the economic and social achievements of workers.
ZCTU Secretary General Roy Mwaba says ZCTU is a social movement whose mission is to enhance the welfare of members through the promotion of harmonious industrial relations as opposed to campaigning for political parties.
Mr. Mwaba says this in a statement made available to QFM in reaction to North western province minister Daniel Kalenga’s accusations that some ZCTU official are politically biased.
He says the sentiments expressed by the minister are strange as the labour movement has been giving guidance and direction to workers adding that the high productivity levels of workers have been widely acknowledged by many people who include Republican president Rupiah Banda.
Mr. Mwaba has charged that it is cheap politicking for Mr. Kalenga to brand the behavior of the ZCTU senior trustee Betty Mtambo as uncalled for when she raised a clenched fist while addressing workers during the Labour Day celebrations in Solwezi.
He has justified that the clenched fist is a salute and logo which has been used by Trade unions for many years to show unity and solidarity.
The ZCTU official adds that there is no need for the minister to draw similarities between the opposition Patriotic Front and Ms Mtambo’s action.
He states that the ZCTU pursues a policy of non-partisan in party politics adding that it works with the government of the day on the basis of the tripartite arrangement.
meanwhile Former Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Lusaka District Chairperson Elphas Munakaila has called on workers in the civil service to desist from engaging in active politics ahead of the forthcoming tripartite elections.
Mr. Munakaila has told QFM that even though workers may have different political preferences, they should not declare their support for certain candidates publicly.
He says the political atmosphere in the country ahead of the polls will be tense and that public servants should be cautious of being trapped in political games.
The former labour movement official has since advised workers in the country to make their own judgments on candidates aspiring for political office.
Mr. Munakaila has also said that the labour movement will remain neutral and committed in fighting for better conditions of service for workers in the country.
QFM
It is sad that the labour movement are sharing the same symbol with the PF. If that is true, why did the labour movement not complain that the PF were using their symbol? If I recall, the Roman Catholic Women movement complained about their symbol that was allegedly used by his honour B/General Miyamda,s HP until later that the differences were clarified. The Minister in this case was right to complain as the symbol used was that of the PF. Can someone from the Labour Movement explain why they allowed PF to be using their symbol if that is true.
MMD are really paranoid! Civil servants who support political parties publicly indeed are tarnishing the principals upon which the civil service is based.
This bemba party and its pipo………….
What is the real problem. Symbols dont vote. Who doesnt know that Sata will be buried this year no matter what he does. He is lebelling his motto on tugiligili. a sign of drunkness state and vilolence. Follow this matter and burn tugiligili before more confusion erupts.
MMD sings national anthem with figers raised this is not supposed to be the case. Respect the law of the land. So what is the issue with raising a fist. Just go ahead and campaign for RB who has already won.
# No. 4 Winner, You’ve hit the nail on the head! Doesn’t matter what Sata or his retarded supporters do. We’re burying him this year once and for all.
This is such an unwarranted complaint from this frightened minister. Looks like MMD leaders are even afraid of their own shadows. just work hard for your party to prevail, not bu mbuli
WHEN A CIVIL SERVANT OPENLY DECLARE HIS INTENTION TO STAND ON AN MMD TICKET, THEY ARE NEVER ASKED TO RESIGN. IF IT IS ON AN OPPOSITION TICKET, EVEN JUST BY RUMOURS YOUR ARE FIRED. THIS COUNTRY WILL ONE DAY BE IN FLAMES BECAUSE A HUMAN BEING INHERENTLY DESIRES JUSTICE. WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH NONSENSES FROM THESE POLITICIANS. MMD WILL SOON BE CONSIGNED TO A GRAVE YARD OF POLITICAL HISTORY. NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO THEIR EXIT IS CERTAIN
Kwa Bulozi akuna masholi.
Well its called jilijili syndrome, be aware soon there will be messi messi and osama bin lakata on the market. I hear there is one called Obama already. Yaba taili bwino league this summer!!!
Who do you entrust your future,children’s future in.Banda and all crooks,we need change .When i drove through Ndola i wept,i went to Chingola i got shocked potholes like graves ,i was in Kabulonga to see a friend .I asked Lord even when South African leaders like Zuma etc are considerd corrupt ,i am able to use Gautrain ,I can walk to a Mall within my residence ,the whole country ,there is development every part of the country every hour.one Manda Hill ,the whole zambia ,no no .and this stuoid Leaders are here every f..kn dayAre they blind.Zambia has resources.
#10 donchi kubeba you say that you have been shocked, you have seen crooks, you have seen potholes, you have seen corruption? wait until we form our pf government, all that will be child’s play because when you give us the vote we intend to shock you until you hang yourself for making the mother of mistakes.