moment with Minister of Local Government and Housing Stephen
Kampyongo(r) just after seeing off Chairman of the Standing committee
of the National peoples congress of China H.E Zhang Dejiang at KK
airport
Government says it acknowledges workers’ sacrifices and contributions towards the development of the country.
Local Government and Housing Minister Steven Kampyongo said government will continue to focus on policies, strategies and programmes that will contribute to realising employment creation in the country.
Mr. Kampyongo was speaking today during the labour day celebrations held in Kitwe at Diggers Rugby fields under the theme “achieving national development through productive decent work, sustainable job creation and social justice’’.
He said in line with the theme, government is determined to promoting productive decent work aimed at ensuring inclusiveness and equity for all workers while respecting their dignity.
He said government has made strides to attracting local and foreign investment through conducive policies which encourage sustainable job creation.
Mr. Kampyongo has since called on the workers to demonstrate commitment to productive decent work by reducing absenteeism and exhibiting positive attitude towards work.
He disclosed that government through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has invested in the labour inspectorate capacity through increasing the number of labour inspectors by 50 percent.
And Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) first deputy president Newman Bubala commended government for policies and reforms especially the revised constitution which has outlawed casualisation of any job of a permanent nature and unjustified termination of employment.
“We welcome this development because it makes jobs secure and is in line with the decent work agenda as promulgated by the International Labour Organisation to which Zambia subscribes,’’ Mr Bubala said.
Mr. Bubala said such decisions will strengthen labour administration.
He further noted that the labour movement condemns the violence which is threatening the democracy of the country.
He has since called on political leaders to genuinely condemn violence and educate their cadres to co-exist because that was the essence of a multiparty political system.
Meanwhile, Kitwe district organising committee Chairman Fewdays Bwalya said 333 employees will be awarded this year from 42 different companies in the district.
He said the committee is concerned by the continued absence of Chinese companies and some chain stores from labour day celebrations despite numerous meetings with them.
And Government has implored workers to increase their productivity in the workplace in order to ensure economic growth and poverty reduction across the country.
Minister of Gender Nkandu Luo says productivity in Zambia’s labour sector is a key prerequisite in fostering national development.
Professor Luo says government therefore is on course in realising the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal number eight (8) whose emphasis is on decent work and economic growth.
The minister was speaking in Chinsali district today during International Labour Day commemorations which were held at the presidential park under the theme “achieving national development through productive decent work, sustainable job creation and social justice.”
Prof. Luo has since discouraged civil servants in the district from taking part in active politics stating that those with political ambitions would do well to resign from their positions.
She disclosed that government places a lot of importance on workers in the country and was therefore in the process of finalising a bill on social protection to guarantee social security in Zambia.
And Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary, Bright Nundwe reiterated the call for workers to be professional in their work saying excellence, devotion, faithfulness, and discipline remain key issues in being an effective worker.
Mr. Nundwe said these virtues were very significant in fostering productivity and efficiency in the workplace.
He has since commended workers for the work they do in pushing the economic agenda of the nation.
Speaking earlier, trade unions representative Elaston Njobvu called on government to pay retirees in the district their benefits before parliament is dissolved.
Mr. Njobvu stated that this would help improve the living standards of the workers who served the country diligently during their time.
He also called for diversification and value addition in the labour sector in order to improve productivity.
Meanwhile, Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) representative Kenneth Kalunga urged government to dialogue with students in institutions of learning across the country.
Mr. Kalunga said through dialogue, government would be able to prevent student riots and abrupt closures of universities in the country.
He stated that government ought to look at the needs of students in the country especially that they were the future workers who will be able to improve the fortunes of the country.
This is the only work PF MPs know how to do better. Seeing off people at KK airport. How can workers not be absent when you the so called leaders are never in your offices? You hypocrites. While the public have lived a life of sacrifices, Lungu has increased his salary 4 times in one year.