The Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) in Southern Province has opposed plans by the government to reform the Public Service Pension Scheme ( PSPS ) saying the move was unattainable.
BETUZ provincial Deputy Chairperson Alice Mbula says his union has rejected the proposal by the government to give retirees salaries from their contributions saying government should stick to the current system of paying a lump sum.
Mrs. Mbula stated that going ahead with the reforms will make the relationship between civil servants and the government to sour because the majority of workers are not in support of the proposed reforms.
ZANIS reports the BETUZ provincial Deputy Chairperson to have said this in a statement in Mazabuka District, today.
She said once implemented, the reforms will confusion and untold sufferings on the part of the civil servants upon retiring saying government should consider looking for other options of raising funds for developing the country as opposed to pension funds.
Mrs.Mbula who supported the stance taken by ZCTU president over the matter said there is urgent need for the trade mother body to mobilize workers throughout the country to reject the reforms which she described as being oppressive.
She further said her Union has opposed plans by government to effect an adjustment on the retirement age of Public Service workers from 55 to 65 years saying there is need for government to implement that which is contained I the draft constitution.
“As a union representing the interests of the teachers, we offer support to the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions in refusing the proposal by the government that retirement age be adjusted to 65 years. The position should be that which is reflected in the draft constitution, Mbula stated.
She charged that the issue of retirement age should be optional at 55 years and that workers should be allowed to continue receiving their salaries until they are paid their terminal benefits.
Mbula has since challenged the technical committee drafting the constitution to present the final document to both government and the public because the 90 day period has already elapsed.
Tell PAYA FYONSE(PF) government.
When the pension plan was designed by PF, Southern Province was not in their mind. Southern Province Teachers should wait for UPND’s pension plan.
ba pf u can toll with anyone NOT with civil servants, u will be shocked what they are capable of doing! Try their patience and see.
U can bet that these guys are determined to implement these reforms. in fact, the strategy is to fire any one opposed to their scheme of these. hope betuz officials will be spared. otherwise, these reforms are brutal, uncompromising. removal of lumpsum is effective 1st September 2013 while the change of the retirement age will follow.
Leave them. Its them to cry because they are just arming HH to the teeth. At this rate no civil servant would vote for them again.
I would be very worried if Mrs Mbula actually teaches our young children. Hopefully her role is nowhere near the classroom.
its shocking that very few people understand the fiscal standing of this country. the appetite for power is too much that people would rather sacrifice the future because they will be in their grave anyway. we can not simply manage to pay all the civil servants under the current pension scheme.because guese what? the money has been misused over a very long period of time. previously the country has been borrowing to pay the retirees. its simply not sustainable, but I understand its difficult to see through our political inclination.
Profesole, having said that, i don’t think that using retires as scapegoats for that misuse is the solution. we can not be subjected to more suffering. NO. Gvt has to look at other altenatives
Yet there is money to hold monthly by-elections, unplanned projects all over. Use your sikopo. Under MMD there was proper planning and we had a surplus. PF is in total confusion.
Monthly or lump sum payment should be left to choice of the retiree and not imposed
Fellow Country men and women, please assist me here: My understanding of Pension Scheme it is basically:
A) A Fund managed by appointed asset managers with assets, such shares, money market securities e/g T-Bills, Bonds, real estate and cash at hand invested from members contributions and corresponding obligation or liabilities of pensions due to same members;
B) Periodic actuarial valuations are undertaken to determine the solvency of the respective Pension Fund, which compares assets Vs liabilities to determine the surplus or deficit and recommend appropriate measures; and
C) I am lost for words when comments Govt has been borrowing to pay pensioners! How? Or indeed has no capacity to pay them hence the so-called proposed reforms. What is the root cause?
PF don’t be power drunk. Kaunda analila in 1991. Don’t take us for granted. You have not even clocked 2 yrs but look at the confusion. Disappointed citizen.
They budget for the by-Erections but fail to budget for the real need of the olde people, what a shame!
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, Chabe!