Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda has accused the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions of working to bring down the PF government.
Mr Shamenda told a media briefing in Lusaka Thursday afternoon that statements attributed to ZCTU Secretary General Roy Mwaba over the nurses saga are tantamount to inciting people to rise against a dully elected government.
Mr Mwaba yesterday during a news briefing warned government that failure to reinstate the sacked nurses has the potential to cause major industrial crisis in Zambia.
But Mr Shamenda has reacted angrily to Mr Mwaba’s statement saying ZCTU should not threaten the government.
“What does Roy mean when he says ZCTU is considering various options in responding to government’s decision to fire nurses? What he is saying is basically a threat to an elected government. Mr Mwaba should not incite the public to turn against this government,” Mr Mwaba warned.
“I will call Roy to verify the context in which he issued yesterday’s statement because it would be irresponsible for a union leader to use threatening language against a democratically elected government,” he said.
Mr Shamenda said the ZCTU and the unions in the health sector should be encouraging the affected nurses to reapply and not inciting their members to turn against the government.
“Roy is saying the nurses should be patient and not reapply pending negotiations with government. When did government start negotiating with ZCTU? Government never negotiates with the ZCTU. The labour movement is misleading its members,” he said.
Mr Shamenda also warned politicians to stay away from labour issues.
“Some chap who never even goes to UTH when sick tells nurses that he will give them legal support just to get front page coverage in the newspaper. This chap is talking from an air conditioned office and drinking coffee, when he is unwell or any member of his family is unwell, they all fly to South Africa for treatment, they don’t even know the inside of UTH,” he said.
Mr Shamenda added, “ the offer by the UPND to offer legal support to affected nurses goes to confirm that Mr Hakainde Hichilema went to UTH last month to incite the nurses to prolong their strike. It is highly irresponsible for the opposition to want to make capital out of this situation. These politicians are hoping this strike will make the PF unpopular, they are wrong because this strike does not have the support of the common man on the street. Nurses today are very unpopular.”
He revealed that government as the former employer of the nurses will determine the package that the affected nurses will go home with.
“I cannot say at this stage that will be paid their retirement benefits or not because remember these are dismissed workers, so government which was their employer will sit and determine what to give them but there is a risk that they can lose all their retirement benefits,” he said.
Arrogance again and again………………do you Mr shamenda yourself go to UTH? just reinstate the nurses and serve your sorry Ass from embarrassments. Zambia is just too big for a bunch of corrupt and non remorse PF thugs
Shamenda also having NO Wisdom.Please God,give us a man/woman after yourown Heart to rule over Zambia.These immitations of Leaders are plunging Zambia into chaos.
All nurses country wide should down their tools until the government reinstates the fired nurses. They should give an ultimatum to Shamenda to resolve the issue by Friday next week or else they will go on a massive country wide strike.
Ba Shamende you have already forgotten how you behaved as a trade unionist? Now mwamela mangala because you are in government and can easily be evacuated to a foreign country for treatment. After you leave government you will be attended to by the same nurses you think are worthless now.
The same way ZCTU put you in power is the same way they will work to get rid of you.
Just swallow your pride and reinstate the fired nurses and begin serious negotiations.
Actually its only a handful of PF members in support of the government, the rest of the population are supporting the nurses.
Government action on this matter shows that they don’t care about Zambia’s health sector because them and their families can afford to rush to south Africa for medical care paid for by the government.
I urge the fired nurses to mobilise their friends country wide and fire their union to begin with. They should then embark on massive protests because they now have nothing to loose after being fired by the government.
Nurses now is the time to spark it. The nation will join you massively.
This baboon needs a shave to start thinking properly
Remember the Arab spring that swept Arab countries was sparked by a street vendor after being mistreated by the police.
The police are nothing but cowards. Once you show them that you are serious and ready sacrifice what ever for the sake of a better future for children they will backdown.
Better die fighting than dying like a lamp, because the actions of government are killing many innocent people through the high cost of living any way.
Nurses spark it and include Fuel, Ubunga, and transport price rises amongst your grievances and the people will join you massively.
150 of you is a good crowd to worry the government now that it send most it s paramilitary to Chitimukulu.
FACKSON – What exactly do you mean when you say: Politicians should not stay away from labour issues?
Politicians are elected to “hold”, “discuss or “debate” issues such as what is happening with the nurses. And why is that?
Because politicians are Public Servants, Office Bearers, Public Policy & Decision Makers. And the list goes one..
You and yourself are a politician, hence the reason why you have come out defending a dysfunctional regime.
You simply have no idea the job of a politician. !!
How ironical that Shamenda should talk about nurses being misled by people able to seek treatment in South Africa. What about nurses being fired by people who equally do not use UTH unless they are in their last hours of life? “If you live in a glass house don’t throw stones.”
EBUPUBA BAKWETE AMA STRIKERS OF NOT THINKING ABOUT THEIR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT PACKAGES. MOST OF THOSE NURSES DON’T THINK. PLEASE, DON’T JUMP ON THE BAND WAGON IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOUR ACTIONS IMPLY ON YOUR LIFE.
@peter
ichipuba ni banoko,kuti balebatombela shani mumufolo kuli chanda beu
@peter
banokoh
Bwana minister you are very wrong on Roy Mwaba.This man has been very supportive of this government and at one point i thought he was one of your stooge.Now that he has seen something very very wrong that needs correction,he has become a traitor to you.Surely even if its blind loyalty should it go to this extent?
WTF
shamenda be ashamed of yourself,u think nurses are unpopular-they have got families,extended families,friends, all depend on this people,u ll be shocked
“Some chap who never even goes to UTH when sick tells nurses that he will give them legal support just to get front page coverage in the newspaper. This chap is talking from an air conditioned office and drinking coffee, when he is unwell or any member of his family is unwell, they all fly to South Africa for treatment, they don’t even know the inside of UTH,”
Look who is talking!!! Do you and your ilk go to UTH when unwell? Do you not rush to South Africa where you come back as crated cargo?
What about your PF?
and besides that’s he uses tax payers money to his sorry ass treated in a foreign country
Us the common people are in full support of the fired nurses and not you Shamenda. Once, you were a Unionist, and you are simply scared of the power which the labor movement wields. Stop associating this issue with politics, you are irritating.
some chap!! with reference to HH
Mr Shamenda sir please shave sir. Some women think of unshaven beards as unclean and unhealthy just like foreskins.
is it a coincidence that nurses where dismissed immediately after the death of George Chella’S mother the spokes person for sata? TUESDAY AT UTH
why was she not evacuated to some foreign country as per their ToR
Not boom.
what is bad for someone to offer help to helpless nurses? This country is for all not for just one person, people should be free to air their grievances. Is this the first time people are going for strikes which are termed “illegal” just tell the truth. what prompted the dismissal?
people now know where to run to. A friend in need is a friend indeed. (Icikwanka bachimwena kumampalanya)
Such utterances makes me wonder whether someone was joking or drank! I mean seriously?!
I find it rather incompetent on how the Government is defending itself for making a right decision. The nurses deserved to be fired!
VERY USELESS GROUP OF OLDMEN IF THEM THEY KNOW INSIDE UTH THEN WHERE IS THE BODY OF CHIKUSU?THEY DIE OUTSIDE THEY ARE BROUGHT DEAD ATI NATIONAL MOURNING KEEPING US BEASY.AND U ROY WE WANT TO SEE IF U ARE A REAL LEADER WHO IS READY TO DIE 4 HIS MEMBERS
This government is not even ashamed of itself. When shoprite checkers dismissed all its striking workers this same government threatened to revoke their (shoprite checkers) trading license . Now here is a question, ” is there any strike which is legal?”
this dirty ugly man should tame his tongue..who does he think he’s representing..we are suffering as citizens..we need those nurses back!!!
I have a confession to make, Dear Tongas am so sorry, really i hated you for obvious reasons, you know how you behave when you have fellow tongas at work places. But that aside i have a change of heart especially after you demostrated love to the murdered pf cadre and the nurses. surely am so encouraged i pray that you embrace us those who hated you and also you try to treat every one equally One zambia one nation. What i have gone through the past two days has made me realise that you are going to win alot of hearts and you will prove that you are not tribalistic. Continue the noble fight. fight evil. God is with you
Rubbish rants indeed. Is the Issues for Tongas against non-Tongas? Really this can only come from a person who is confused as you have said.
You nurses had gone too far and became so selfish. To you only a nurse must receive larger salaries than any other civil servants…..this is madness guys. Just re-apply.
Sometimes i dont understand wat politics do to our leaders. hon. shamenda ws once zctu president and i thnk he can agree with me that all the strike actions we ve experienced in zambia ve been illegal or wildcat strikes. I ve never come accross a legal strike. so lets not back peddle, this is jst aimed at instilling fear in workers who are seeking clear direction from govt.
Shamenda must be told that as former ZCTU President and now PF Minister of Labour, his national task is to defend and protect the workers from any ruthless unkind employer – irrespective as to whether the employer is private or Government. Shamenda’s neck is now on the chopping board as the clock ticks towards the end of two more years of PF’s misrule. All Zambian workers are entitled to a decent living wage.
When he was a trade union chairperson, he embarrassed the then vice president Mr Mwanawasa at an internal summit at Intercontinental. Mwanawasa had to hit back! Who can forget that day? But I don’t remember Mr Mwanawasa threatening him with “you want to bring down an elected government.” Why do politicians forget this easily, or do they?
Fackson is a brave coward instead of coming up with solutions he is doing the opposite. He knows deep down his heart the potential the workers ve to cause havoc. Its just a matter of reinstating the poor nurses and chart way forward. Leaders are there to provide solutions not misery as is th case now. Due top the strike by nurses I lost a relative at UTH and dont want to lose another one. Why should HH keep of the srike when he is a politician? He has every right to comment on matters of public interest. Fackson should not start blaming the opposition coz they asked for it. Firing workers is no solution just find a long lastng solution. In any case how was Fackson functioing as ZCTU Chief if he cant apply his experience to sortlabour matters. Was he running ZCTU then by mgt crisis?
Ati “Nurses today are very unpopular.” dont generalise some us we are not part of that confusion waumfwa ka?
Yaba! Shamenda your arrogance has no room in a democratic state. Shave your beard, perhaps you will start thinking properly!!!
Why should ZCTU criticise government? And who the heck do you think voted for you?
The government should deal with these chaps who try to abuse democracy with a strong hand. When the nurses were on strike for some days I am sure he was even rubbing his hands in amusement whilst hiding in some hole and now the nurses are back at work he is trying to incite them.
“Abusing Democracy” – PF new slogan?
Have you collected pieces of silver to blog?
@ 142. I am not a cadre like you who can not think beyond your tribal enclave. Just look at the number of your postings and see how many contain any sense in relation to the subject matter.
Cadre? Tribal? Subject matter? What about pieces of silver?
I am sure that if you had functional brain, which evidently you do not have, you will be dangerous. As it stand, just opportunistic cadre leaving in a limited tribal enclave and without sense or in depth perception related to subject matter.
Your “vision of the world” ends up at the sport pages of Post?
This minister with Unshaven dirty chin,what manner of arrogance is that. Your departure from Government will come sooner than later. Namumfwa ba Shamende tapali icibumba
ZCTU should stop inciting workers against government.No one is above the law.Those nurses misbehaved and its good they are fired.PF is a government of disciplined people and this has sent a strong message to would be offenders misused by the opposition for their selfish ends.Well done Honorable Shamenda.
Another paid pseudo blogger.
@JOHN ITS GOOD THAT U HAVE DECIDED COMPLETE YOUR NAME FROM JO TO JOHN.I HAVE NOTHING TO ADD OR REMOVE ON WHAT U SAID BECOUSE I KNOW U ENJOY BEING ANSWERED AND ITS GUD THAT ALMOST EVERYONE NOW DONT TAKE U SERIOUS
Many of us are ploting to bring pf down using the 50+1 vote. Sata. Shamenda. Kasonde. Winter. You human beans dont add value to life. Instead you take away…
Ba Fackson is actually a father? As in there are children that he fathered? Thank God I am not one of those kids. Pantu having a father this dull is something else. Mr Shamenda, since when did you know it all? People in Zambia will surely rise against PF. You have lied to all of us yet you expect us to keep quiet? In September you told us we would get our increment. When payslips came it was only 4%. What is 4% of my meagre pay? You yourself told us it was simply an anomaly in the payroll and it had been rectified. Against our better judgement, we went back to work. End of October, the same so called anomaly came back. In November it still came back. This is despite your assurances that it had been resolved. Do you not call that lying Mr Shamenda?
No. That is not lying. It is HH fault. It is MMD fault. It is peoples of Zambia fault. It cannot be PF fault.
I’m a die hard PF supporter but to be sincere, it’s we the PF who will bring this government down. We are very disorganized, deceitful and incompetent. We take our masters (the voters) for granted and use threats against our masters as if it’s okay for us to do that. The sooner we realize we are on the wrong path the better, otherwise 2016 will be a tough year for us. God help Zambia and our top leadership in PF.
Shamenda your better be serious for the first time in your life. 1. Why are you talking about some chaps not going to UTH for treatment? The good thing is they use their own money unlike you who uses our money. Ok, now tell me what you have solved by calling HH a chap, the man who wants to use his money to solve the issue of unemployment to which on the contrary you are so determined to create by firing those nurses? You better shave and find a life man. Tell me why politicians should not talk about matters of national interest?Y Stone age kind of thinking. 2. Is UTH now operating smoothly after firing those nurses? Instead of you offering leadership, you are now compounding problems; issue of better conditions you promised is pending, under staffing at UTH has been amplified, etc. Think
This man is arrogant and stubborn, only the head of state can make him shave.
Bring it on ZCTU i hope you can bring down this visionless PF govt and save zambians from being driven into destruction.
Demons u just yap!During those days these cruel nurses were on that THAT ILLEGAL STRICK i was nursing my relative.l saw how angry were the relatives of the patients.Many were planning to pounce on them.lndeed dey are unpopular.
It is st upidity to think that a common man is not aware how indiscipline are nurses in this country.Their cruelty has been there even b 4 pf.Upnd,it shows how unwise u are.This won’t earn u political mileage.Mayb from these gullibles here.
Working over-time for your paymasters?
“But Mr Shamenda has reacted angrily to Mr Mwaba’s statement saying ZCTU should not threaten the government.
“What does Roy mean when he says ZCTU is considering various options in responding to government’s decision to fire nurses? What he is saying is basically a threat to an elected government. Mr Mwaba should not incite the public to turn against this government,” Mr Mwaba warned”.
It is this kind of shallow understanding of issues that makes most African leaders to be laughing stocks. For a minister to have such wild imaginations about a labour organization whose duty is for the welfare of its members is absurd. It is this crop of ministers that will destroy the thinking of our children.
The thinking by this minister explains why these African politicians think and act the way they do. They think that when they are elected then they have basically a blank cheque from the electorate. They can insult, fire and treat opposition as rubbish. Very sad indeed.
You can’t spell Shamenda without the word “shame” in it so i guess Shamenda’s arrogance and lack of shame are to be understood in that context.
After be silent when it needed to show leadership, now it has spoken.
The result is a usual flow of failed dogmatism, incomprehensible lunacy and witch hunting.
Hon. Minister, do you really think that party slogans are sufficient to cover up absolute lack of policy and direction of the Government?
Do you realize that every time you mention HH and accuse him of any wrong doing, HH stature gains a inch and yours loose a feet.
Be serious and do at least one decent thing in your life: resign!
Shamenda, you are talking about people’s lives, to start with the nurses you have fired and the patients. What do you expect people (patients) to find at UTH when you have fired the nurses there. What kind of dullness is this, kashi? You even are saying this govt does not negotiate with ZCTU. Please be serious shamenda. May be you have just been given a role beyond your capacity…. what can explain your level of doing things, help the president deliver and not what you are doing now.
No, no Mr. Shamenda. Please, a State agent CAN NOT talk about a citizen or an individual in such demeaning language. When are you ever going to learn that you represent THE STATE NOT yourself? Gosh! These politicians, lately, always spoil my day. Have to keep away from local news. Disgusting all the time.
All nurses please down tools and help your colleagues re-instated, pull govt by Shamenda’s ba*****s.
Being a student I should have listened to the teacher but I instead helped these clueless people rule.
Dull pipo, nurses are the most yusilesi workers in the country. they thnk thy own us.
u guys are more less lyk cleaners,. honestly wat can a 2yrs program do to sam1. For, thoz of yu dat r in a habit of arguing- try 2 visit UTH wen u sick and see hw these chaps behave. I hate nurses that are in government now, coz most of them are jst joinin da profesion 4 da sake of making money. To nurses, u shud consider changing careers if you want more money. And pliz stop the habit of comparing urselves 2 doctors,! Thank you
the goverment has done what I could have done- infact worser than than- i could black listed these nurses. just think of it. how many of our relatives died how many of your relative died. you even say bring the fired nurses back foolish, look at this you taking father at the hospital and you find a nurse sitted and do nothing over the problem then another come and attend to your father or relatives if you were to pay or promote who among the two will give the job.
stop to advantage of the goverment some nurses have a very stupid attitude towards work.
LOOK AT MENDELA TODAY WHOSE LIFE IS BEEN TALKED OFF WORLD OVER. ITS BECAUSE MANDELA GAVE HIS LIFE FOR OTHERS FIND FREEDOM AND SAVE SAME THAT IS HOW NURSES AND OTHER CARE ARE SUPPOSE TO BE, LIFE IS PRIMARY AND MONEY IS SECONDARY-
DO NOT BRING THOSE NURSES BACK TO HOSPITALS- THEY ARE AFTER MONEY AND NOT TO SAVE. NURSES SHOULD WORK BEYOUND MONEY, AFTER ALL THEY SWORE- LIFE COMES FIRST MONEY LATER
YOU LET A PERSON DIE AND YOU SUPPORT THEM? NOSENSE LET US ALL CHANGE OUR ATTITUDES TOWARDS WORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTRY DECIPLINE IS KEY TO DEVELOPMENT.
BLACKLIST THOSE GOLD DIGGERS – IN NAME OF NURSES PAITED WITH WHITE YET THEY BLACK IN THEIR HEARTS THEYDO NOT DESERVE ANYTHING GOOD
GOVERNMENT ON THE RIGHT REBUILD THE SYSTEM AND INSTILL DESCIPLINE AMONG THE GOVERNMENT WORKERS, THEY SHOULD NOT BE ADVANTAGE OF YOU BANAJAIRA KUSOBELESA BOMA.
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