PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has lifted the two year wage freeze that was imposed on public service workers.
The President made the pronouncements today at the Freedom Statue during the Labour Day celebrations and has since directed Labour and Social Security minister Fackson Shamenda to begin negotiations with the unions.
The wage freeze which was proposed in the 2013 budget has been a contentious issue between the government and the unions while the opposition gained mileage on the move that almost cost the PF the January 2015 elections.
Earlier this year the Zambia Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) said it was engaging president Edgar Lungu over the two year wage freeze which Government had imposed on public service workers to find a lasting solution.
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema during his Labour Day message yesterday accused the government of not caring for workers.
“This lack of care by Government for Zambian workers has manifested in several ways, the first is the wage freeze amidst rising costs of living; the second is the use of intimidation as the case was with the nurses that were fired in 2012, the third is the fact that without consultation they revised the retirement age to 65 years, what life is left in a human being who retires at 65? Lastly there is an employment freeze in the public sector that has consigned many capable young men and woman to perpetual unemployment,” he said.
Mr Hichilema added that there was very little to celebrate on Labour Day when people are paid low salaries amidst rising costs of living. Even this year’s Labour Day theme:
“Promoting National Economic Growth through Job Creation, Free Collective Bargaining and Respect for the Workers’ Rights” is really a mockery as the opposite is what is actually happening.
What the Zambian workers need is a salary that considers the rising costs of living, a clearly laid out retirement plan for them to enjoy the fruits of their labour when they retire and good working conditions that enable them to advance in their careers without heavy bureaucracy. Our workers expect government to devise consistent policies that minimizes the need to tax its people to fund poorly contracted loans. Our workers deserve career advancing training opportunities that will teach them modern skills to increase productivity and generate a sense of personal fulfilment.
The UPND has since shunned the celebrations.
For political capital. Edgar Lungu is extreamely desparate. HH is winning in 2016. Edgar kuyabebele.
It has only been lifted on the podium. In reality government is too broke to increase salaries. PF is now full campaign mode but Zambians can not be cheated anymore. 2016 we want someone with a vision to first unite us and then lead us to prosperity.
@ Hildah Malama;
A lot of people especially in Lusaka and Copperbelt Provinces and Livingstone City are now talking about you. You are the number one news blogger known in Zambia and even beyond. If u didn’t know even the President (ECL) do talk about you and your postings.
Many of us true PF Members are pleased with your comments. You are just talented; for no untalented woman can comment the way you do. Political Online Analysts put you at the First Position in Zambia in terms of mounting a sustained positive criticism to the President and the PF.
Awe mwandi PF has started appreciating your comments. we love you continue correcting the wrongs of the president.
Yesterday the presidential press aid also talked about u and yo comments.
You are now a hero. Keep it up.
Only a fool will cerebrate that the wage freeze has been lifted.
The wage freeze was proposed in the 2013 budget and it was to run for two years – Thus 2014 and 2015. Meaning the wage freeze should be over by December 2015. Negotiations between Unions and government are done 3 months before the increment in the coming year. This is may 2015 and the next salary increment is in January 2016 and the negotiations will start by August or September 2015, about 3 months from now.
No one has lifted the wage freeze, it is simply running out its normal course as Mr. Chikwanda had proposed in 2013.
Zambians kwena Edgar alemishinga butter and dont ever fall for this lie he has said on paper balemibepafye.
Thats RB kuya bebele .
2011 repeat
True PF .
Butter shiggaring
I am a UPND supporter but I now believe that UPND will never form Govt. This message from UPND President is rather flat and looks like a straight text book extraction!
This is a party President who has never told us how he will fight corruption – very embarrasing!! And even when his advisors, take the initiative on his behalf like Syakalima did, he quickly repudiates it.
You wonder what HH’s real position on corruption is? The laws Hichilema is talking about are not enough to tackle the vice.
There is no hope on UPND, we should just vote for Kabimba – at least he will try to fight the vice – UPND is not serious!
SOME ZAMBIANS, WHAT DO U REALLY WANT? YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT WAGE FREEZE DAY IN DAY OUT. THE PRESIDENT LISTENS AND LIFTS IT, U TURN AND STILL COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LIFTING OF THE SAME WAGE FREEZE U WANTED LIFTED. IS IT DULLNESS, OR IS JUST BEING USED TO COMPLAINING THAT U SEE EVERYTHING IN BLACK & WHITE- NO COLOR? SEEMS U JUST ENJOY MURMURING..
EL is far more politically intelligent than HH or any other politician on the scene at present. He is slowly dismantling all contentious issues and come 2016 the opposition will have no campaign issues to talk about. The 2016 elections will be very tough for HH and the rest of the opposition
Ba HH retirement age at the workdbank is now 67 at UN 65 at the African Bank 62 so there is no life left in these servants? Ageism is a crime against humanity
That’s my president …
You forgot to say, ‘God speed’
@The London Eye …really! The useless UPND President!! Have read what HH has said about Lungu’s immunity? He wont lift it – leaving Lungu to steal willy nilly!
What is the UPND position on corruption – none! Even on the mines – your president hd no clear position! All we hear is Quality this, Quality that, etc it is neither here nor there!
I had a lot of hope on UPND but now, I know that HH will never be president as long as he does listen to advisors like Syakalima, a real intellectual in UPND who is even better than HH!
Yes that’s my president. We will borrow money and award salary increments. The burden to repay the loans will fall on our children.
Ifintu ni Lungu
please inform HH
@ Hildah Malama;
A lot of people especially in Lusaka and Copperbelt Provinces and Livingstone City are now talking about you. You are the number one news blogger known in Zambia and even beyond. If u didn’t know even the President (ECL) do talk about you and your postings.
Many of us true PF Members are pleased with your comments. You are just talented; for no untalented woman can comment the way you do. Political Online Analysts put you at the First Position in Zambia in terms of mounting a sustained positive criticism to the President and the PF.
Awe mwandi PF has started appreciating your comments. we love you continue correcting the wrongs of the president.
Yesterday the presidential press aid also talked about u and yo comments.
You are now a hero. Keep it up.
Just because of HH.
It was a gathering of government workers.Who wouldn’t go when its time to get a free suit and shoes.What with a PF wage freeze, such items are difficult to get.
Surely dear Zambians, even primary school grade 5 pupil can see surely see that this bus is going to run out fuel, these populous directives in the name of gaining political capital will not take us anywhere.
Lazy Bum Lungu has reversed the mining policy for this year’s budget that fiscal space needs to covered and now he has waken up with a hangover from Harare and made another reckless silly directive removing the wage freeze where is he going to get the money for this.
Where is Fossil Chikwanda to advise? He was happy with mining policy and wage freeze last year…why is happy to reverse them now.
These empty tins are recklessly borrowing money to pay debts…with no formulae of paying back.
Zambians wake up from your docility!!
Jay Jay you criticize a lot and nothing wrong with that. Can we also hear your suggestions please
Can you please list people you think should head the following institutions
1) government
2) FAZ
He may not be the smartest Minister of Finance but somehow Chikwanda tries to raise money to save governments’ face but his efforts are being frustrated especially that pronouncements are made without him being consulted.
While we appreciate that the president has lifted the wage freeze, we the workers at Mkkushi mine and the community are asking the president to reopen the the mine urgently. The mining licence has been in the hands of the minister of mines for a long time. What is he doing with it? Using it to receive bribes from different mining companies whom he has promised? The mine employees have never been paid for the last fifteen months by Elephant Copper from SA. Elephant Copper are liars,tricky and they have no money. It will be a disaster to give Elephant Copper back the Mining licence. How can they operate a mine when they fail to pay 20 workers.
Give the mining licence to a credible mining investor. And the licence should be given NOW. People want jjobs in Mkushi South.
You are a worker and only worried about work like most Zambians if only you could see the bigger picture where that product you mine goes and what we get in return as a country…but then again you are a worker that is not your concern.
What about FQM KALUMBILA MINE charging employs k2500 per month for a 2bedroomed house is that fair rent more than home take money,where is the national housing authority?
Damned if he lifts the wage freeze and damned when he does. HH and his people are the ones who are desperate, condemning everything and not offering alternatives.
which alternatives do you want HH to give your president.EL told you that he has no vision and HH has been his guide since EL is a blind man.HH has helped you see the area which almost cost PF and you cant appreciate.
They are not in government, why do you want them to think for you? UPND this HH that, are they the ones in government? If you cant do it sela ko, let those with more productive ideas and knowledge take Zambia forward.
Last part of first sentence should read-damned if he doesn’t. Thanks
What’s worrying is that almost 55% of govt expenditure goes towards emoluments. In our last budget total govt expenditure was around $8,5bn. So we can say roughly $4bn goes towards salaries. I can wholeheartedly sympathize with every govt employee whose salaries are being eroded by 8% every year due to inflation. In the last 3 years, their buying power has been eroded by 24%.
However, what worries me is that if govt awards say a 30% pay rise they need to come up with 30% of $4bn which is almost $1,2bn. Where are they going to get this money from ? Borrow, borrow, borrow. Mines have been given tax relief, Fitch has downgraded our credit ratings. Capital is fleeing the country. Investor confidence is eroded. Interest on all these ngkongoles ?
Zambians do not want to see the bigger picture…they want to lied to by empty tins!!
Lyashi lyamu bwalwa kachasu for that matter.
No money in the coffers.
RB aka EL kuyabebele
Repeat of 2011
I am perplexed, that there can still be someone out there who can even imagine HH in State House, in 2016 for that matter. Obviously it’s just the cadre bloggers, but these are paid to “sit” on the internet to post positive messages which you can clearly see that even the bloggers do not believe in. Many ways of a feeding your family in Zambia, if you cannot get one of those casual jobs at HH farms, paid blogging is a sure way of walking away with a bag of mealie meal at the end of the day.
This guy is intelligent and smart, by the time it is 2016 the opposition will be left clutching at straws, UPND to be specific, what is there to hide anyway since they will not pay attention anyway, heads buried in the sand.
Your kind of intelligence leaves much to be desired. HH is on record preaching against wage freeze day in day out. All we see is the continuity of the me too syndrome in EL’s action. He has felt the pressure.
Well….it does seem a good Labour day message of hope.
Try to feed your children with hope.
Zambia will always need a strong credible opposition so that the government does not ride roughshod over the citizenry. Had UNIP or some other political party provided a strong opposition to the MMD this country would have seen a lot of transformation between 1992 and 2011. BUT, well, I am off to Tanzania to find out why and how the Chama Chamapinduzi has managed to do so well for Tanzanians. Why is this giant friendly east African country doing so well? Its nationals are not scattered all over the globe as economic migrants as are Zambians, Zimbabweans, South Africans, Malawians, Mozambicans. The tswanas, Namibians, Mauritians have also stayed home. Is Zambia such a poor country that it cannot look after its own people? More than 70 Ministers, over 65 PSs and almost 100 DCs on GRZ pay!!.
@ Let me say;
Dont tell me that you dont know why Tanzanians have not scattered across the globe like other African countries. The reason is simple my dear. I think u must have missed Civic Education at UNZA. The main reason is that 80% of Tanzanians do not know how to speak English but Swahili. As a result the only English to them is Bemba. consequently disadvantaging them to go to other none Swahili Speaking countries.
So don’t be cheated, education is power at least i have now empowered you and u are now free to take yo ARVs.
@Hildah Malama:
Just leave Tanzanians alone on this one! With their Kiswahili, their infrastructure is much better developed than Zambia’s because of their quality leadership!
Can you compare near saints like Nyerere, Mwinyi, Mkapa, Kikwete to outright thieves like Rupiah & Sons; Chiluba and Sata. No wonder, you are running away from your country to go and clean toilets and bums in other countries!
By the way the English Language which you and your children cant even speak well (with funny Lozi, Tonga, accents) cannot be a solution to your faeces now floating all over Lusaka; hunger, homelessness and street kids which are now more common in Lusaka than in any other African City!!
Yes, you Zambians are poor, thieves and backward!!
@ Chilyata,
Are you an impostor my brother/sister?, your language has changed. Where is the original Chilyata?
All the 2000 civil servants employed 2yrs ago in new districts are not confirmed yet.
@ Let me say; In addition Tanzania has taken advantage of our being land locked- its a fact one cannot dispute.
Bwana HH do not have informants anymore. He should have known that His Excellence, EL was going to lift the wage freeze on labour day. But alas, he talks about a thing that has thoroughly been dealt with. Sorry Mr. HH, this issue of the wage freeze is no more an issue. Talk about other issues.
Secondly the issue of retirement. Did you know that you can retire at 55 years of age? May this is news to you. Please come to terms with it.
Thirdly, the govt never used intimidation when firing the nurses. They, (nurses), were given all the time to rescind their decision of striking. They never listened. What would you have done. Bend to all the unnecessary demands of the civil servants in your govt if you are lucky to form one in future? That govt will be the worst in the world.