MINISTER OF Labour and Social Security Fackson Shamenda says the Patriotic Front (PF) will uphold its policy of not interfering in the running of parastatal companies because it has begun to produce positive results.
He said the non-interference policy has helped the Workers Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) to transform into one of the five best performing of the country’s 30 parastatal companies.
Mr Shamenda said the PF will continue to allow parastatal companies to run freely without political interference to make them professional and effective.
“Out of 30 parastatal companies, only five are doing well, and WCFCB is one of them. WCFCB is breaking even and is able to pay pensioners on time. This is what happens when you have the right management and there is no political interference,” he said.
Mr Shamenda was speaking in Chisamba on Tuesday evening when he closed the last meeting of the outgoing board of directors, whose term of office expires at the end of the year.
“I want to assure you that there will be no interference. WCFCB has changed because there has not been political interference, and that is the way we will continue,” he said.
Mr Shamenda listed a number of achievements the fund has scored under current chief executive officer Elizabeth Nkumbula, and thanked the board and management for their hard work.
He commended the fund for increasing the monthly pension for former workers who have suffered disability while in service by 100 percent.
Mr Shamenda commended WCFCB for reducing administrative costs from 88 percent of its income in 2011 to 26 percent by end of November this year.
And outgoing board chairman Robinson Sikazwe said despite the fund’s achievements in the last three years, there is a lot of work to be done on the improvement of monthly pensions.
“It is for this reason that we wish to assure that attention is being given to the amendment process of the Workers’ Compensation Act number 10 of the Laws of Zambia,” he said.
And Dr Nkumbula thanked Mr Shamenda and the board for their unflinching support to management.
Then why don’t you just leave ZESCO alone? How many times have you meddled in their affairs and finances and got into bed with the management?
Mr. Shamenda should not be telling us whether parastatals are doing fine or not. We are capable of carrying out such an assessment on our own if only the PF government can pass a law that compels all parastatals to publish their results quarterly and annually in the media the way banks do!
Are sure you know what you are talking about. You are the one who is interference with WCFCB. This is a known fact. I do not think WCFCB is doing fine.
Mr. Shamenda should be the last person to praise any Parastatal. He should ensure that the Employment act that has been on his shelf gathering dust is come in to work for the marginalised zambian workforce who solely depend on his pronouncement of repealing or adjusting upwards the minimum wages.
They will do exactly what they say they will not do. It is an Afrikan phenomenon, this. It is a veiled warning to parastatals to conform proactively or have the MD promoted into the diplomatic service…
Mr Shamenda is a liar.Why has he allowed a cadre like Mr Mulonga to have greater influence in Napsa board?Mr Mulonga,is treated as if he is part of management of Napsa.Director General napsa looks like a puppet.As external clients,we were very surprised at the way director general napsa,was being looked at during sell of Kalulushi houses.
Napsa’s management has no say with the dictatorial tendencies of a cadre in the name of Teddy Mulonga.He has greater influence in the day to day running of the institution.He needs to be termed before he brings down the institution.The earlier Shamenda looks into this the better.