THE Zambia Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) has said that it will not allow a few politicians to destroy Zambia’s legacy of clean politics and dent the country’s image at international level.
ZCTU deputy secretary general for organisation administration Elaston Njovu said political tension perpetuated by some politicians is driving the country towards a knife edge.
He said politicians in both the ruling and opposition political parties should show leadership and ensure they address issues affecting the country in order to move the country forward.
“The focus has shifted from national development to political issues. We urge political leaders to respect the need for social dialogue for the sake of national development.
“Workers are interested in dialogue which will improve their welfare and bring about more opportunities,” Mr Njovu said.
He was speaking in an interview ahead of Labour Day, which falls today. The Labour Day celebrations will be celebrated under the theme: ‘securing decent work for sustainable socio-economic development’.
Mr Njovu said the choice of the theme underscores the reality facing workers as they grapple to secure decent work conditions.
He said through the theme, ZCTU is urging authorities and all employers that workers everywhere need decent work conditions in order to increase productivity levels and achieve sustainable economic growth.
Mr Njovu said only decent work can promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment.
He urged government and other employers to respect workers’ rights, especially the right to join trade unions and the right to collective bargaining.
And National Union of Public and Private Educators of Zambia (NUPPEZ) has appealed to all employers to allow their employees celebrate the workers’ day.
NUPPEZ director for public and international relations Ngoza Malonga appealed to employers countrywide to fairly treat workers and stop casualisation.
And ZCTU has urged employees countrywide not to take advantage of the Labour Day celebrations to stage protests against any shortcomings but to use the commemorations to reflect on their plight as workers.
ZCTU president Nkole Chishimba said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that Labour Day accords employees an opportunity to reflect on their plight as workers and to listen to the plans leaders have to improve their welfare.
Mr Chishimba has since called on workers countrywide not to shun this year’s Labour Day because it is the only day that they are appreciated by their employers and those in leadership.
He said Labour Day purely deals with issues that are labour-related and not people’s personal vendettas.
“Labour Day is not a day to hold protests over some shortcomings. Labour Day accords workers an opportunity to listen to their leaders and also to reflect on their plight,” Mr Chishimba said.
Time to burry PF and UPND! They have not given us the type of leaders this country needs. We need a new movement to restore what we had with the first MMD! Enough is enough!
Sana sana ba upnd who are power hungry. The party need to be closed
On June 28, 1914, a young Serbian nationalist named Gavrilo Princip killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Taking place against a backdrop of escalating tensions in the Balkans, the assassination set off a chain of events that would lead to the start of World War I barely one month later. To many people, the Great War—as it was known at the time—seemed to come out of the blue, as the European continent was enjoying a long stretch of unparalleled peace and prosperity. In fact, the seeds of the devastating conflict had been planted long before Princip fired those fatal bullets.
This year labor day will go in history as the lowest attended ever in history of Zambia. At Labor day that’s when we used to know colors of political parties.
Only PF will attend in 2017
During MMD, even Ba Miyanda used to match…
Can someone tell me as to why in 98% of all important institutions,in the country are either headed by a Northerner or Easterner and they all seem pro PF with a few exceptional such as LAZ.
Look at this ZCTU, this is one of the formidable organisation we relied upon in years back, it was actually more vocal than most opposition parties in fighting off injustices perpetuated by a ruling party, but where are they today? Rarely heard because they have been infuriated by PF candres in Mukuka and Njobvu.
Many hate PF, because they have managed to divide the country deeply based on tribal grounds within a few years of their rule and this will take years and years to come to amend. You can not have a country with 72 tribes being over seen only by a few tribesmen from Northern and…
Couldn’t agree more. But the problem is that these thugs from both parties will just jump ship and join the new party such that you end up with the same recycled dead wood
Brutal truth. Our liberal politics has lost the masses. The growing apathy is not by coincidence. There is too much bellicose and tunnel visions. Today’s Party system in Zambia is draining of support. No rational citizen want to buy into politics of insolence, sectarian dreams, and their subversive schemes ever in complicit to foreign interests. Zambians are not willing to buy unbecoming eccentric behavior, and they cannot be forced to confer mandate recklessly. We treasure our country and are watching behavior politicians in the country. We are conscious vanguards of this national peace and identity. Don’t ruin our country. Zambia is our heritage lets preserve this country in unity and diversity.
@The Real Quest – I agree with your comment. We need a new movement, new players and a new mindset to take the country in a right direction. These two parties hate each other and as time has shown, they are not willing to dialogue. Time for change.
Pepe, I totally agree with you. It is time for us from the North and East realise that we need to be inclusive at all levels for us to be truly One Zambia, One Nation. The ethnic tension in the country is simmering and we need overboard leadership to diffuse this time bomb!
ZCTU has lost it’s relevance. ZCCM-IH was sold for a song, not a single word from them.
That’s when you have cadres infiltrating unions, police, judiciary. Instead of serving the poeple who voted for them & pay them, they focus on serving their supreme leader/demi-god, lungu.
Your defining silence cannot be taken for intelligence but cowardice to be honest. in the whole debacle, the only time I heard you respond was when the SA union challenged you. one day you may find that the people will keep quite when you will be attacked by these politicians you lie in the same bed with.
@The Real Quest, why should you bury the UPND? has the UPND been in power for you to determine their failures? We have seen the failures of the PF and if there is any Party to bury, its the PF. Just a few minutes ago, President Lungu has accepted that ZESCO increases the tarrifs even when submissions are still being taken by the ERB from Zambians to determine effects of increasing tarrifs on consumers and the economy in general! Why should you then bury the UPND when its not in government?
Just the name one already knows the comment will be pro-pf. ZCTU belongs to all workers even those who do not support your tribesmen, Njovo. Next time do better.
UPND tonga party is bitter. I hope this did not fall on deaf ears of cows
Good morning ZCTU. Thank you for waking up. It has already been destroyed. The days of President Mwanawasa and President Sata are long gone!
ZCTU beggars are after the crumbs
That some history for you and how powerful an individual can be, if him abuse the power given to him, why has it taken so long for the trade unions to speak? Why can’t they be like cosatu and other trade unions in South Africa?
Only reason i realized that labor was around the corner is that, after months of civil servants getting their salaries after 40 day instead of 30,the past two months we seen that they have been paid their salaries on time, between 18 and 20th of the month , all this in preparation for the labor day, and people like cosmas mukuka will realize after the celebration that they have been shinga buttered, when their salaries start coming late again.
ZCTU is itself in a quandary, how can it guide the nation? Labour leaders have already drawn hefty allowances for the occasion but are asking workers to go and match on empty stomachs
Just look at their bellies!
Labour Day is a parade show casing clothes the public sector and companies buy for the few chosen workers that participate in marching! Of what significance is this parade I wonder? In my opinion it would have been better labour leaders around the country holding rallies to address issues affecting the labour movement and workers pointing out where government and other employers have failed or improved lives and working conditions for the workers raising petitions for issues needing immediate attention! As it is now is a parade of dressing and party cadres whose role in labour matters is not defined! ZCTU needs a reset!
When the Hutu thought they were wining the war after killion more than 1miliion Tustis Kagame backed by the Anglo America from the Congo boader come and over powered the Hutu Government and its French counterpart.My fellow Tongas and Lozis and Kaondes don’t cry for God will answer your prayers soon.We are preparing for last battle which the strongest man will remain standing.The battle of Joshua and Gidion.The battle David soon Goliath will fall all the so called 7 provinces will know that Jehova is powerfull and has spoken for his people the black Jews of Zambia.
#Pepe what about seeing it this way 98% of those institution are headed by zambians your neighbors and Friends
@NONO, N0sense, what Zambians, did you mean easterners and northerners in the neighborhood? Your PF is a deeply divisive party which is still in power by the way of playing tribal politics, and will go down in history as the worst party to have ever ruled mother Zambia!
That’s what the new ruling elites keep on doing, saying that they are as Zambian as all of us while they dominate all sectors of Zambian lives. There’s nothing special about Northerners and Easterners. There’s nothing that justifies their domination of Zambia since PF took power. As we speak, 58 Tongas, Lozis and NWPers have been fired from State House for being their tribes, and nothing else. Bembas and Nyanja speakers should be ashamed of their tribaIism.
What legacy ? ,our country never had a legacy of clean politics.Look at UNIP’s era of one party politics,Kafupi’s era of corruption and MCS’s era of witch hunting and violent PF cadres.
The institutions to guarantee your safety are long gone. The Pentecostal churches and one traditional church (UCZ)have been hijacked. It’s surprising the once vibrant Labour Movement is gone too. Poverty is very bad
Not all pentecostal churches have been hijacked. Only the ones overseen by Rev Pukalani Mwanza and Joshua Banda. Others seem to be neutral
Not all pentecostal churches have been hijacked. Only the ones overseen by Rev Pukuta Mwanza and Joshua Banda. Others seem to be neutral
Let’s call things by their names. HH and UPND are bad for zambia as whole. However my biggest problem is when some reasonable people seen supporting wrong people like HH who has only an agenda to liberate his tribe Tongas who he believed to have been abused by the bembas ands and ngonis. Now that is sickening in itself.
Anyone supporting HH rather than Tongas takwata mano
So are Bembas supporting Tongas according to you? How come 58 Tongas, Lozis and NWPers have been fired from State House for no reason other than their tribe?
They want to come with revange. Evil motives.
Ati kateka wa mano
Young obama
Mosses wa Nomba
He will nevr rule Zambia as long as he wants to comit revange
DJDeno let me tell you that as long as Notherners and Easteners continue with this tribalism were all Governement institution are headed by them peace will never be seen in Zambia.We have 73tribes and yet all senior positions are filled by Bemba and Nyanjas.It is very un fair that’s why UPND will never die because its a party for the Opressed Zambians you can kill HH physical but you will never kill HH’s and Mazoka’s vision to liberate the oppressed.weather we change names from UPND to something our vision is clear and our fight to liberate Zambia will remain.we are not very far,Lungu will eat Grass like nebukatineza.
Only employees of upnd who draw their salary from hh and gbm will shun the Labour day celebrations. If you are not paid by upnd and you abscond we will take note of you.
You can gloat about HH’s humiliation but you will get yours very soon.
Yes don’t allow HH and GBM destroy our country. Look how peaceful our country has become . Hope they take another year wherever these two have gone.
Just chill. Your enthusiasm is misleading you. Your day is coming very soon.
@ Buck Teeth Lungu,
Uli chisuushi saana,,,paanio paaakooo
You are PF stuges.
Where are you when PF closed the post outing more than 2000 people out of work ??
PF tried to say it was a tax issue and even issued an arrest warrant for membe for hiding assets only to be afraid of touching him when the British high commissioner said he met membe.
The same M’Membe who was paying himself K1,000,000= per month plus extras while his employees went for 3 months without salaries???
Zambian citizen
the shut down of the post was political vandalism by lungu. Thousands of workers lost their jobs with dependents left destitute by the paranoid lungu hoping to keep Zambians in the dark regarding PF looting.
They issued arrest warrants for membe saying he was hiding assets, then after the outcry about the arrest of HH they appear to be shying away from that arrest warrant…..showing the political nature of the PF prosecutions of opponent’s on fake charges.
The labour union died long time ago after Kafupi who destroyed it when he came to power; now we have PF labour union who have allowed Changwa and his minions to destroy the country
We dont want the Pf period! This party is too tribal. Look at the names of the people working at state house. Look at the names of the people appointed to head the government ministries.. Lungu is the worst thing to have happened to Zambia
…look at the names of people who were incarcerated with hh, look at the names of the lawyers representing hh, look at the names of the top officials and the parliamentary head of upnd…WHO IS TRIBAL??? When you say “we don’t want PF period” who do you mean we?? The Majority of Zambians have rejected hh and the upnd for a record five times, so which “we” do you mean??…oohhh, you mean the minority Tonga and their tribal cousins?? JUST COME OUT IN THE OPEN AND SHOW YOUR TRUE TRIBAL COLOURS, YOU TRIBALIST!!
Pf bunch of criminals
PF will win 2021 elections come rain come sunshine.
Ofcourse, Chez!!! What with these tribalists now exposing their true colours?? Who is going to vote for them??
Showing how stupid and tribalistic the real tribalists are, that they can elect the same corrupt clueless bunch that serve the interest of a few of their friends and tribesmen at the expense of the national good. I never knew people can be so stupid and so brain washed that they can inflict self harm on the basis of tribe. History tells us that you can not humiliate and subject other people to injustice forever. A time bomb is what we are creating, there wont be winners in the end, let the wise from both sides take heed and defuse the time bomb.
Showing how stupid and tribalistic the real tribalists are, that they can elect the same corrupt clueless bunch that serve the interest of a few of their friends and tribesmen at the expense of the national good. I never knew people can be so stupid and so brain washed that they can inflict self harm on the basis of tribe. History tells us that you can not humiliate and subject other people to injustice forever. A time bomb is what we are creating, there wont be winners in the end, let the wise from both sides take heed and defuse the time bomb.
Zambians are no longer sleepy. The new movement that is being peddled by “The Real Quest” above is the one that is being engineered by a disgruntled clique of Kambwili, Savior Chishimba, Mwenya Musenge – with GBM in the background.
Selfish brand of politics has brought on board complex associations. Imagine the “AXIS OF EVIL that is networking between Mmembe-HH links with the notorious NUMSA’s Secretary General. Strange scenario that a South African Trade Union can threaten an African Govt just because the rich guys associated with NUMSA are refusing to pay Tax and subject their workers to low wages. A complex set of events indeed.
@1.4 Pepe, peepe musankwa jaata pa kanwa.
1. I dont remember you complain when ZCTU was headed by tongas. In fact no other tribe complained.
2. Tongas probably dont stand for such positions during elections. Probably because all of them think that the most important thing is to get HH into state house. HH himself said it last year to a UPND cadre in Siavonga.
3. It did not help instill confidence in the general population when HH was elected to succeed Mazoka on the basis that a tonga only must lead UPND. This one si.lly and tribal act by UPND has acted like an albatross round HH’s neck because whereas before he was seen as a Zambian leader, after that singular act he has been seen as a tonga and has had an uphill battle to garner the support of 7 provinces. The sad thing is that HH…
The sad thing is that HH and UPND have refused to withdraw the statement, sometimes even endorsing it when they are overconfident or unguarded eg Munkombwe was hugged by HH at one rally in Choma.
Just go and march like cows at the agricultural show and get your allowance, fool.
Pf is the worst party. Don’t blame the opposition party they are not running the Country. Pf is bad because they think Zambia belongs to them only. Anyone who does not agree with them is an enemy, a party full of crooks.
In Zambia does ZCTU exist, or its only on paper. I thought this institution died, with Frederick Chiluba, abashala ukuwawafye.
PF has destroyed by getting all the vocal empty tins!!
@ Jay Jay,
Chiittolle choobe you misbehaved during Mwanawasa’s time!
Mr. Njovu, we know which political party you support- the one which is impoverishing the same workers you claim to represent. But you won’t speak against it because of wako ni wako and muzungu anikonde. In terms of effective representation of Zambian workers, NUMSA of S.A. is better than your compromised ZCTU which is feeding meat to the crocodile hoping to be eaten last.
All judges handling HH’s treason case must please take note how peaceful Zambia has been for the past 3 weeks.this is the Zambia we need.current peace simply confirms that HH/GBM are a great danger to our national security.let HH stay wherever he is now for another 2 or 3 year for Zambians to enjoy fresh air!!!
The local opposition parties are full of amature politicians who do not know the role of the opposition leaders in a muilt party democracy.ZAMBIAN PEACE IS MUCH VITAL THAN ONE POLITICAL LEADER, THEREFORE,THE ENEMY OF PEACE MUST BE CAGED AND REMAIN BEHIND BARS FOREVER-PERIOD!!
Njimbu let me tell you that soon the once domant volcanoe will erupt and no one will stop it.If you have ears hear me if you have eyes watch me.Lungu is just a fly ,Sata was more strong.watch the space.
ZCTU is beating about this issue it must have been difficult to read this speech goven that the Union is compromised bunch of PF sympathisers…gone are those days when the Union was influencial.
PF is destroying the nation and causing all the trouble in the country. They want to victimise anyone why want to follow the Law because they are lawless thugs. They closed the Post News Paper, the closure of the Post News Paper wasn’t just Tax related. Banda is free because Lungu protected him. They tried to victimise the Law Association. Its sad we have allowed these people to continue destroyingredients the country.
Fun. Whatever topic is written on lusaka times, somehow and somewhat HH, Tongas, and UPND has to be insulted. Meanwhile life does not revolve around the 3 words in Zambia. Marginalisation of one personality, tribe or affiliation does not soften one but makes extreme of the same. So bloggers let us help Zambia be a better place for ourselves and children. Let us drop this HH, Tonga and UPND hatred.
ZCTU is the surrogate affiliate to PF and for that matter, they killed unionism in Zambia. Nothing that comes from ZCTU that makes sense unless to PF sycophants.
Iam urging all my sisters who are married to Bemba and Nyanja men to protest by not sleeping with them so that they can see that Zambia has been destroyed .This move is key to change things.Let your children tell their fathers that they have no apetite for food because HH is in prison for nothing.
So you married a tonga. No wonder you smel tribalism. Me i married a tonga. Right now we are enjoying in Siavonga. We have 2 beautiful kids.
fu,ck you leave married people alone you sun bi,tch, are you going to remarriage theme if there hubbys ches theme konto iwe.
the toothless ZCTU no longer represents workers interest
If this ZCTU must wither and die a painful death in order for Zambian workers to have a credible trade union, so be it. Why? This ZCTU only represents the interests of the stomachs of those in leadership. And clearly, this statement shows this current ZCTU leadership is singing for its supper.
Comment:Finished labour leader I wonder even the workers they claim to represent. all along you have been quite this is wen you are speaking even wen your friends in South Africa advice you to speak for people shame ati leaders.
@CIA:that volcanoes will only erupt in your toilets in Dundumwedzi.if you are man enough come up in the open and see if you will be alive for 1 second!!
President Edgar Lungu is in total control and he is a very strong man!!for your own data,HH comes to court in an open Toyota van.no special treatment is offered to him.ZP handle him like any other criminal and Zambia is as quiet as Russian snow!!
Those few upnd arsonists will soon be arrested and put behind bars!!HH’s mongu nonsense has clearly shown all Zambians that nobody is above the law.if anybody commits a crime,ZP is there to arrest and prosecute such a person.
WE DONT WISH HH HELL BUT WE NEED SANITY IN ZAMBIA.HH IS OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT WHAT HE WAS DOING IN MONGU(BLOCKING OF PRESIDENTIAL MOTORCADE) IS A CRIME.just…
Continue……
Just imagine if HH goes unpunished in the mongu case,how many Zambians will be blocking the presidential motorcade? A LOT.IS THAT THE ZAMBIA YOU NEED WITH NO RESPECT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT?BIG NO!!so judges should do the right thing by punishing the ring leader of the mongu saga to avoid such confusion in the future!!
I enjoy reading what Zambians are writing about each other , and how they air their opinions .
This indicates that there is democracy in the land , we now know that Zambians can dialogue without intimidation keep it up .
Njimbu well said let peace prevail ati volcano my foot.Let them start it they will quickly know where they belong 7 against 3 never not mu sangalatoni impossible.
Any average Zambian in their right frame of mind ought to see that things are not well in this country any more. There is just a lot of confusion, confusion to an extent that one can not distinguish a Government Minister from a Party cadre.
This Country is respected for it’s integrity and unity but as it is PF has messed up a lot in this area and it is in this Government that Tribalism has become a favorite ‘hymn’ on the Misleaders’ lips. Misleaders because they have become a divisive force and am surprised that some traditional Leaders can even support this rot because they are enriched by Brown Envelopes to support the disintegration of the moral fiber of this once great Nation Zambia. This should come to an end and please do not destroy the Great Minds of this land. We have this…
This should come to an end and please do not destroy the Great Minds of this land. We have this vacuum in Leadership because the Great Brains were assassinated. We do not want this to happen in this era.
It’s quite shocking to see some of the comments like “98% of leaders in important institutions are either bembas or esteners”. People should learn to compete and if you are beaten just accept. All these labour movement institutions do condact elections and those names you see are the winners. You can’t be just picked from nowhere because of your surname, that’s laziness. This is what is causing confusion in the country where by someone just wakes up and say I am the president.
let HH languish in prison so that he be taught a lesson,when comes out he learn some thing and he have a story to tell those who hve been there.like GENERAL KANENE
CIA, ZP please see what you can do about this animal CIA(operation black eagle) I am sure he has vital information for you.
I agree with ZCTU. We MUST not allow UPND who fit very well into the culprits wanting to destroy our country. It is very evident from the hallucinations of UPND members. Read Sacika’s suggestions on the so called Zambian Observer. Sacika says, ” This is time for mass mobilisation of the people to say no to dictatorship”.It seems Sacika just like other UPND is out of touch with reality and with the Zambian people. He is only in touch with UPND. Which Zambian people is he referring to who should rise against a popularly elected President? Where is the dictator in Zambia to rise against? The only dictator I know is HH who has never and will never let UPND subject him to a democratic election like other parties have done? They said only Tonga should rule UPND and HH accepted this…