Government has refuted sentiments made by Zambia Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) President Leonard Hikaumba that government was being dictatorial over the proposed new retirement age from 55 to 65.
Labour Deputy Minister Ronald Chitotela said it is not correct to insinuate that government was being dictatorial on the proposed new retirement age.
Mr Chiotela explained that after cabinet tacked the matter the state thought it wise to throw the matter to the general public for further debate before implementing the new retirement age.
He said if the PF government was being dictatorial over the new retirement age government would have straight away taken the issue to parliament for enactment.
The Deputy Minister stated that PF government is all inclusive in all the decision it makes hence the decision to allow the Zambian people to debate the new retirement age free.
Meanwhile Mr Chitotela says government is committed in ensuring that the current labour laws are reviewed.
He said the reviewed labour laws should suit the current economic growth and benefit the workers.
Mr Chitotela wondered why workers have not been benefiting when the economy was performing well.
He explained that bad labours laws have contributed to the workers not benefiting from the economic boom.
The Deputy Minister said this during the launch of the labour law reforms consultative workshop held at Lusaka hotel today.
And earlier ZCTU President Leonard Hikaumba advised government not to be dictatorial over the suggested new retirement age.
Mr Hikaumba said government should follow the procedure before enacting the new retirement age.
The ZCTU leader insisted that the state should listen to other people’s views concerning the proposed retirement age.
Meanwhile Mr Hikaumba has saluted government for showing commitment in carrying out labour laws reforms.
He said the labour movement want to see in place, laws that protect and promote industrial harmony.
In a related development MR Hikaumba has appealed to the Ministry of Labour to caution other laying Ministries to desist from interfering in the operation of the trade unions.
He complained that some Ministries were interfering in the affairs of the Trade Unions.
The ZCTU leader has since praised the Ministry of Labour for the good working relation it is fostering with the labour movement.
ZANIS
In as much as i don`t support the increase in the retirement age to 65 years i still know and work with a lot of 65 year olds in the country where i currently live and they are one of the most active and effective workers.Its only bad in the Zambian system because we have a lot of unemployed youths and low life expectancy(Hiv has messed up things).
Most people do not know that there is such a thing as age discrimination. Well, HELLO !! – it exists and the Zambian constitution should protect it’s elderly citizens whose numbers are increasing.
The solution is not to fight over the positions that these obviously qualified people hold, but rather for the young people to get qualifications and enter the field not because they voted, but because they are able to do the job. There is more than enough work to go around so this illusion of few jobs should disappear with job creation.
How old Auntie Chibesakaunda.
Obviously between 1 and 100.
This is a govt of mixed-up statement. It is only a few months ago when one of the PS under cabinet stated in Luapula province the the new retirement age was move to 65 years and cabinet had approved this move. What debate is there with regards to this move bwana useful Deputy Minister? Did that particular PS lie again or you are the one lying here? Please maintain one position and the nation accordingly in case of any change.
ninzelu zaupuba..why increase..?
When are we going to hear well-coordinated statements from Ministers and Permanent Secretaries? On many many uncountable issues these guys have issued confusing, contradicting, misleading, uncoordinated, incoherent statements!! Each Minister/PS speaks how he/she understands an issue and sadly presents the opinion as “government’s position”.
Whether u voted for these comedias or not, atleast they hv come up with a policy that has affected everyone except themselves in the pf muppet show. There ar the most hopeless , corupt & deceitful lot that hs ever existed.
Surely wat is all this 65yrs, its nt even in draft const. where ar they getting it?
Can ministers also get their gratuity after the age of 65yrs.
Tunda Mailoni can’t say sensible and useful things to the nation.
The government is in line with most commonwealth countries, there is nothing wrong with retirering at 65 years. We are not God to be judging the health of people.
the ooposition – the zambian ones – just oppose any how because they are in the opposition.
@ Sobelenge, if HIV has messed up things it means we need these 65 years people since the more sexually active age die by 40. I do not see a problem with retirement at 65 though if given a chance to suggest I would settle for 60 years.
65 NO
@5 and 6 the statement is ok, the cabinet did approve and decided to take it to the public b4 taking it to cabinet. 65 yrs not welcome at all costs, let the madalas go to the farms and employ their children. gvt pliz noooooooo! unios work together and pressurise th gvt on this issue.
65 is too late in life. At that age one is tired. Not only that the old should not stand in the way of progress for the young.
Learn to do research before you comment. In South Africa 65, in ZImbabwe 65, in Uganda 66, in Kenya 65, in Namibia 65 in UK.. in USA… ETC.
In zambia there are many people over 65 and still working
65 is total rubbish in zambia. lets stick to what is ours not copying. no wonder even education standards ve gone down. what do u think someone after 55 would do in a class of grade 1? not even to grade 12s. be critical thinkers. that’s why you ve the chikwandas in offices while their grands lack jobs.
AT UNZA, MUCH AS THE STATUTORY RETIREMENT AGE IS 55, LECTURERS ARE GIVEN CONTRACTS TO WORK TO ABOUT 70 YEARS AND YOUNG LECTURERS CONTINUE TO BE EMPLOYED EVERY YEAR. SO WHAT IS THIS FUSS ABOUT THE PROPOSED RETIREMENT AGE OF 65? MIND YOU UNZA IS ALSO NOT SPARED BY HIV AND AIDS.
All Old Rugs should be Out. Retirement age remains at 55 years.
We currently are in a position we are as a Country due to Old Rugs. Whether they like it or not, they go do something else at 55. There is more to life that just clinging on even when they have failed from the time they started work.
Room will be left for young and energetic Individuals.
A wee 65 is too much!!! When will our children work kanshi ngamwaisusha indoshi mu machito.
65 is just ok. I work with over 60s who are much more productive than my 25-35 age mates. Sir alex ferguson is a good example. No need to cry that these guys will block youngsters. Zambia has very gew over 60s
fyaupuba ala why 65. there people in government who have reached the retirement age in the northern province have continued working waiting to hear that government has increased the retirement age to 65. the notable one include luwingu district agriculture coordinator, community development officer and many others. if they did not prepare during their term in office late them go. the retirement age increase will come to force after 2016 elections.
The 65year retirement is retrogressive 2 our country.Wen will we, the youth get 2 rise thru the ranks n reach the top?I sure as hell aint ready 2 wait 20yrs 2 become a Director in the Boma!!Pipo should not b afraid of retirement. They nid 2 plan 4 their future well n b ready 4 that tym. Wen will Grand parents have tym 4 their Grandchildren if they av 2 wrk till 65?The diseases of old age will kip these pipo in physiotherapy more than in the office.Pliz don’t implement the backward law
Why increase the retirement age when a lot of youths are unemployed?when are they going to have a chance to build their lives?it doesn’t make sense!