All dismissed nurses are criminals and they don’t deserve to be forgiven says Minister of Labour and Social Security, Fackson Shamenda.
He said the nurses that were dismissed should actually thank government for asking them to re-apply because they thought they were very clever by dancing while lives of many people were being lost.
But Zambia Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) president Leonard Hikaumba has described the decision by the government to finally dismiss all nurses who took part in the strike action as a violation of human rights and the worst form of punishment ever.
Shamenda said dismissing the nurses was the best punishment the government could give them because many lives were lost during their strike.
Shamenda said he also blamed the Unions representing the nurses because they have never been to his office to negotiate for their nurses.
Shamenda further said the nurses should take government to court if they wanted adding that the law was clear on essential workers.
“The law does not allow essential workers to strike for more than 24hours but the nurses at UTH had even gone beyond 10 days,” he said.
“ZCTU is a bad negotiator because they have been negotiating through newspapers and at no time did they come to my office for negotiation in this matter,” he said.
He said ZCTU was negotiating through the media in order to excite people for nothing and that they could not talk to the government through the media.
“The ministry of labour is a custodian of collective agreement bargaining and we register Unions who represent workers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hikaumba said it was wrong for the government to have finally dismissed the nurses because they had apologized for their actions.
He said it was also against the industrial relations and employment act which does not allow government to dismiss the nurses for demonstrating for less than 10 days.
Hikaumba said the nurses at UTH had only gone on strike for 7days and the 8th day ZCTU asked them to go back to work of which they did.
And when asked whether he would advise the nurses to take the matter to court, Hikaumba said the nurses should not take the government to court yet because it was too early.
“The nurses should only take the government to court if all the avenues of communication between the government and the unions completely fail,” he said.
Hikaumba said the government may consider reinstating the nurses because they have asked them to re-apply.
And a Midwife who received his final dismissal letter on Friday last week said the government had failed them because they had tried all the avenues to reach at an agreement with government but PF could not listen.
He said he was disappointed with the minister of Labour for failing to fulfil his promises made to the nurses.
“Mr. Shamenda came to address us during the strike and promised to come to our aid but after the promise he was nowhere to be seen, the next thing we saw was him refusing having promised us,” he said.
And a source within UTH confirmed with Daily Nation that on Friday 150 nurses had been served with final dismissal letters and other have been receiving their final letters this week.
“The letters are being dispatched in groups so we have been told that others who have not received their letters yet will receive them in the next group,” he said
The nurses have been receiving two final dismissal letters from the minister of health Dr. Joseph Kasonde and another from UTH managing director Dr. Lackson Kasonka.
The two letters indicated that it was a directive from the head of state to have the nurses finally dismissed.
Who looks more of a criminal between Shamenda and the fired nurses?
Government is now training nurses online! Just gives you an idea about how much they care for your lives!
This is what happens when you mix business and pleasure. The little, smart girl who turned him down has caused this avalanche of blanket action!
its extremely harsh and totally uncalled for to call these nurses criminals for demanding what rightfully belongs to them.
If indeed they are criminals then prosecute them instead of you shamenda becoming the prosecutor, judge and jury in the press.
You failed the people, the workers when you were ZCTU president, so we know your calibre.
ubpuba ba shamenda muleke.
This serves them right, nurses and doctors are never supposed to go on strike. If they needed a lot of money they have to go back to university study law then earn sh*t loads of kwacha.
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Meanwhile, Hikaumba said it was wrong for the government to have finally dismissed the nurses because they had apologized for their actions.”
HAKAUMBA IS THE DULLEST TRADE UNION LEADER IN ZAMBIA EVER. MY ADVICE TO WORKERS IS THAT THEY SHOULDN’T BE VOTING FOR LEADERS BECAUSE THEY CAN MAKE THE LOUDEST NOISE BUT BECAUSE THEY CAN UNDERSTAND INDUSTRIAL AND LABOUR LAWS. EMPTY NOICE SUCH AS THE ABOVE WILL LEAD WORKERS TO BEING FIRED LIKED IT HAS HAPPENED TO NURSES.
Shamenda, you are the thief, stealing our tax payers monies. I thought having a big head meant having some brains?
Those selfsame criminals move abroad and be given jobs abroad, its us who is going to lose out who trained them at great expense. How pathetic can some leaders be we deserve better than these vindictive greedy empty tins
Look at his picture carefully ” Will you caption it for me – come on be imaginative” ok here we go
1. She was no virgin but she was mwaaaa
2. Power is sweet iwe
3. My brain is the size of a pee on slightly bigger
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Is this what power does? You just say whatever you want to people because you know that you are protected by power. This sounds to be an insult to nurses and indeed to all of us affected. In a civilized context you cannot go on like this calling people criminals in full view of even children, for that matter the whole lot of a minister. Where are the morals of this minister if at all he has? Anyway it is just a matter of time. Somethings can only be delayed but surely time shall come, it does not matter how long it takes. A word of advice to the minister, “you will not sit on that seat for eternity, please show some maturity, you are a minister for God’s sake.”
A confused minister seriously this man needs Chainama screening process. Abusing his spokesman ship merely for yapping uncoordinated statements.
World over, the nurses’ or rather, medical staff are respected and not in Zambia. Its a reason PF has this shocking audacity of firing them.
Screen this yapping person immediately before its too late.
Shamenda you are the most criminal minister with no human conscious at all. Because 1. You promised the healthy workers to increase salaries and condtions of services for beter healthy service deliveries. And when they just reminded you you closed your ears. You are a liar!
2. You reassured them during strike but you disapeared because you are a coward not a man enough to face challenges.
3. Lastly you have contributed to the daeth of so many lives during and even after the strike. People are stil dying in UTH bcoz of luck of experienced health personels.
So Sir be humble and and learn to forgive others bcoz u are also full of mistakes and the pipo are watching your impunities.
I rest my case
This is so sad. Alot of families here have been affected by the chain reaction of one losing a job. We shall wait and see if Shamenda will use this same bad language in 2016 wen asking for votes. Shame to this evil PF government.
ZCTU, now that our colleagues have received finally letters of dismissal, the only course of action left is U to meet us and agree when all public workers should put down tools till their colleagues are reinstated. Touch one touch all.
Shamenda is the same chap who refused Shoprite to fire workers who went on an illegal strike, why cannt he reason with the nurses who even apologized.
The cannt wait after 2016 to be reinstated, they have families to look after.
You should be a last born who doesn’t understand why your first born brother was always whipped when you committed similar crimes and you were let free..other professions are sensitive.And Govt kept pleading in vain.Discipline is eventually coming to Zambia
Mr. Shamenda,
how come such arbitrary interpretation of the meaning of CRIMINAL?
By any chance, can you please enlighten us about meaning of DECEPTION?
Is it deception criminal act or just a gimmick?
Shamenda sounds bitter.
Idi.ot Shamende,ububi Mmeembe’s stooge ,spineless,erectionless.
Both u and the nurses were wrong ba minister.I think what pipo are saying is true abt yo government. u r drunk with power and u r uncompromising .
Few points coming out:
1. ZCTU and ZUNO (Union of Nurses) led by brothers Hikaumba and Yung’ana should challenge the allegation by the Hon. Minister, Shamenda, that theynever made an effort to seek audience with Government to negotiate on behalf of the fired nurses. If this is true, then the top leadership should resign as they have failed their members.
2. The government has proved to every Zambian of its double standards regarding the application of the law regarding illegal strikes. We recall the deportation of a CEO and the high handedness of govt against Shoprite. Were those workers more Zambian than the nurses. Surely govt could have just accepted the apologies, withheld salaries and allowed the nurses back to work -ESSENTIAL WOKERS.
What we say sometimes, come back to haunt us. Be careful sir of what you say. I will only please your master for a while & there will come a time when u will be alone not even your to protect u. Thats the reality of life. U are so blinded by yourself and people around u.
DEAR NURSES in our beloved Country, take heart, you are NOT criminals. All well-meaning people know that you work under very demoralising conditions. It is wrong and very satanic for anyone to brand you all as criminals, especially if that person has been entrusted to improve your conditions but fails miserably to do so because he is busy abusing power for personal gain. Do not be discouraged. Your work touches millions in our Country, including my aging father, and makes a difference to his quality of life. Shamenda’s days in office are numbered.
Shamenda, you forgot even your mo.th.er was a wh.or,e. she used to be striped and diped and spined by a kapaso.
This is bad. Though again, these are bitter lessons being learnt by people who thought PF were saviours. I was informed by a nurse friend that 98% of all nurses voted PF and now this is their reward. Sad. Off topic, I was watching Parliament yesterday, did you people know that a South American country offered for free highly advanced airport equipment but the govt refused and opted to spend US$3 million on sub-standard equipment from china. Asked the rationale behind this, the Vice President was quite incoherent with his answer. Luapula Premier and friends, maybe you might be able to explain coz try as I might, I failed to see the logic in this.
@dudelove, there is nothing for free. There is always a catch. Remember what has led Dora to be a frequent visitor to the courts; free radars.
Mr Shamenda, which court convicted these nurses with criminality?
Please stop using words you don’t understand. Who ever forgives an innocent person? It is wrong doers who need forgiveness if they ask for it.
The UK are looking for qualified nurses that have been dismissed at various Zambian hospitals. Details to follower later. You guys rock. You will be well looked after here in the UK as you are regarded KEY WORKERS and hence your accommodation here in the UK will be prioritised and schemes to buy your own homes with government help will be given. The home office will also assist you in getting you in getting a working VISA to the UK. This is a human catastrophe and we are here to help. Please quote unfair dismissal when you apply and avail the letter served to you by your employers so we can expedite your application for VISA to the UK.
The UK are looking for qualified nurses that have been dismissed at various Zambian hospitals. Details to followe later. You guys rock. You will be well looked after here in the UK as you are regarded KEY WORKERS and hence your accommodation here in the UK will be prioritised and schemes to buy your own homes with government help will be given. The home office will also assist you in getting you a working VISA for the UK. This is a human catastrophe and we are here to help. Please quote unfair dismissal when you apply and avail the letter served to you by your employers so we can expedite your application for VISA to the UK. You have the experience therefore you will hit the ground running.
Let them go and dance before the UK Health minster and see how long they shall last in your ‘heaven’ country. Discipline is paramount everywhere. They were conscious of the consequences of their action but went ahead insulting their employers.
Shamenda we ll be waiting for you. Time is coming when you be called by that name (criminal). More powerful people have gone down at one time, and surely yours z coming.
Shamembwa, ulukwata amano naukula styopeti!
Wow! Did that come from somebody’s mouth? Dismissed nurses are criminals? Really??
That is a real joke!
POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK!
We can see who the REAL CRIMINALS are here!
msana wanzili long time I miss your mature and decent contributions. Our colleague Maestro and Senior Citizen have disappeared. It will take a little bit of time for those nurses to realise that it does not pay to follow politicians blindly inciting them that they will pay for their legal bills . Where are these politicians and their hard earned cash to support these nurses they promised to help. Although people easily forget ZRA went on strike, instead of Sata wanting to make a political mileage, he encouraged staff go back to work as Zambians will suffer. HH visited UTH instead of putting the country first it was is political ambition. Mumba spoke about the strike fail short of asking striking nurses to back to work though described the situation as bad for patients. HH misses chances
One Hit Wonder stop cheating nurses back home. UK has stopped recruiting nurses from Africa. It’s only nurses from EU. I work for NHS. Even nursing homes they have stopped therefore don’t give people false hope. All we can say is the govt will possibly listen to their cry and re- employ them.
Then NURSES, go everywhere else – Australia, Canada, The US but don’t stay in a country that treats you like that & doesn’t appreciate you. You can go back when the ignorant power hungry PF leaders are out of office!!!!! Though I doubt you’d want to once you see just how the other nations will treat you.
This is the worst animal ever lived shamenda is an animal and he belong to hell
Bloody Bastad! You have forgotten that it was the same nurses gave you that position.
Waya sana Shamenda. You have dismissed them. That is enough punishment without you calling them criminals
Thank you Mr Tourist attraction (Shamende – Cement in english) for calling nurses criminals. Remember 2016 is around the corner when you will need a vote from the same criminals.
That’s okay with nurses thought they where very special and behaved like mad people behind muvi tv cameras.Let them dance again.Thanks shamenda..
And these are the same leaders that their chief Kaponya makes to go down on their hands and knees when they beg for votes from the same nurses during election time! How quickly we forget. It is truly cheap for a leader to call anyone a criminal just because they are in positions of authority. Shamenda you are a marked man, we shall have the last laugh at the polls in 2016.
MR. SHAMENDA SIR. BE REMINDED THAT THE PEOPLE U TREAT BADLY ON YOUR WAY UP, U WILL FIND THEM ON YOUR WAY DOWN.
DAYS ARE NUMBERED.
ALSO LOOK AT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO US IN NORTHERN PROVINCE. YOU HAVE THROWN US LIKE A USED TISSUE.
Fire them, you pleaded with them to go back to work, did not want, let the languish in the street.
I regret voting for this govt. next time I will not vote for them so that my mind can be free of this insseccitive govt. How do you fire nurses and live people to die you are murderers you PFs govt.
IF NURSES ARE NOT CRIMINALS THEN LET THEM TAKE THE GOVERNMENT OR SHAMENDA TO COURT. SOME OF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND SEE HOW NURSES MISBEHAVE. THEY BEHAVE SO HEARTLESS WHEN THEY ARE ON DUTY.THE NURSES STARTED IT AND THEY SHOULD FINISH IT. HONESTLY HOW DO START THE FIGHT WHICH YOU CAN NOT FINSH.IT IS A WARNING TO ALL THAT YOU CAN NOT START SOMETHING YOU CAN NOT FINISH. IN NIGERIAN WE SAY :NA YOU FINSH NOW ABI.:
I know you don’t mean what you are saying my friend if i may call you that. You are in the US and you don’t understand exactly what is happening in Zambia. Take time and visit the any hospital in Zambia and see if you will be able to say what you are saying now. There are thousands of people with serious conditions requiring urgent surgery but they are all on theatre waiting lists because some theatres has been closed. The reason is because most of the theatre nurses have been fired. Yes the nurses were wrong to strike but should we continue loosing lives.
@chitotela – you got the wrong country mate! Zambia is no Nigeria. Not in a million years. Zambia is a pioneer of democracy in Africa and liberator of many neighbouring countries in the region. We have not sold our case properly to IMF and World Bank. All international debt Zambia owes should be written off due to her immense humanitarian assistance the country accorded to our brothers and sisters during their fight for independence. We mostly used our own resources and manpower to overcome apartheid in all fronts – Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique and South Africa. Yes – they were all apartheid states and white SA had a hand in all of them. You can’t change history neither can you ignore it but you will do well to learn from it and make better decisions going forward.
on all fronts^
CHITOTELA AND ROGERS MWEWA , YOU ARE RIGHT MY BROTHER.PLEASE STOP COMPLAING ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT ON THE ISSUE OF NURSES.THIS PEOPLE WERE WARNED THAT THEY SHOULD GO BACK TO WORK AND THE PRESIDENT UKWA SAID IF THEY ARE NOT GOING BACK TO WORK, THEY WERE ALSO GOING TO STRIKE AS GOVERNMENT .SO THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO STRIKES SO LET THE NURSES GO TO COURT. THEY KNOW THEIR RESULTS, THAT IS WHY THEY ARE VERY QUIET.YOU CAN NOT FIGHT THE GOVERNMENT. LET THEM WAIT ANT ILL 2031 WHEN HH WILL BE PRESIDENT, THEN THEY WILL BE CALLED BACK TO WORK.JUST TELL THEM TO BE PATIENT BECAUSE THEY DONT ALLOW INDISCIPLINE IN PF.VIVA HH2031 VIVA HH2031
I very much regret, that most bloggers on this site are blind. What Pafwenamwine is saying is right. Most of you tend to blindly condenm your own govt’s action and give false hopes that there is work for those fired Nurses abroad, where ? The Uk nolonger recruit from Africa for a simple reason. It is easy and straight forward to employ a Nurse within the EU than it is difficulty or rather time consuming to empoly an African Nurse because visa issues and so forth. Better at home than most of these economical slaves, shouting loud as if they live in heaven. Most of these bloggers ve not been to Zambia in the last two years, so talk of the past is what they know and understand. Zambia is on the rise, to prove me wrong go and see for yourself. Don’t be a foolish armchair critic like most…
who is a criminal between them and politicians under pf stealing and killing people..?shave your beards old man..shame!!!