MINISTER of Labour and Social Security Joyce Simukoko has threatened to invoke provisions of the law to prosecute and imprison employers who ill-treat workers.
And Mrs Simukoko says employers who have been defaulting National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) and Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) contributions will soon be taken to court.
Mrs Simukoko said this yesterday when she made an impromptu visit to AVIC International, Eva Products Zambia Limited and Oriental Quarries to check on work conditions and whether the companies remit statutory financial obligations.
Her delegation comprised labour inspectors from her ministry, officials from NAPSA, WCFCB and Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management.
Mrs Simukoko has vowed to strengthen inspections of companies to ensure that labour laws are adhered to.
“We have stopped informing you about our coming because you will be preparing yourselves. We have come as a big group because when we send a small group, there are issues of corruption,” Mrs Simukoko told AVIC International construction department manager Wang Zhiming.
The minister said she is interested in knowing if employees have contracts and if the contracts are in conformity with the labour laws and International Labour Organisation.
“We are not joking. We don’t want casualisation because we shall now be taking you to court and imprison you for six months,” Mrs Simukoko warned.
Mrs Simukoko said workers are crying on a daily basis because of poor working conditions and remuneration.
She directed NAPSA and WCFCB to immediately verify the figures if the companies inspected are remitting statutory financial obligations.
She said workers should be given transport, overtime and housing allowances and have the companies registered with the WCFCB as per labour laws.
Meanwhile, Mrs Simukoko blasted supervisors at Eva Products Zambia Limited when she discovered that the company has not been submitting NAPSA contributions and is not registered with the WCFCB.
Mrs Simukoko threatened to have their company closed and owners deported to South Korea if they do not adhere to the labour laws.
“We can imprison you for six months because workers in this country have been crying because of employers like yourselves,” she said.
Mrs Simukoko urged foreign investors to respect Zambians.
At the companies visited, Mrs Simukoko also took time to interact with workers and listen to their concerns.
She assured them of government support.
Start with the Lebanese, Indians, Chinese, and racist boers.
They treat Zambians like slaves!!!!
This is the difference between rule of law and rule of man. Here it is evident that our laws in Zambia are ruled by men. E.g in Australia it wouldn’t take a minister to issue such threats, it is the police who will visit or labour commission officials who will approach you not with warnings but an arrest warrant or fine.
Until a time comes when the law (the constitution) starts ruling then you will see sanity in the country. Developed countries are developed because of laws that outlines the correct ways to live. E.g the laws sets a minimum pay per hour and if an employer pays less and he is reported, don’t expect a minister to issue a threat. Alimuchibe. So they desist from committing such crimes.
A government of threats with threats for the threatened.
The minister says, “you can be imprisoned for Six months. That we will report you to South Korea”. Madam Minister, grow up please. Your visit is good and I hope this wasn’t just a scheme to profit your bank account. The threats you’re issuing are as useless as your presence because this nonsense happens in Zambia day in day out. Has there been any convictions? NO! Only God will correct Zambia’s dormancy.
You will the Indians are one step ahead of you as they only employ Indians from Indian.
They can’t speak English but all have Zambian papers….
aba nabo aba kuwayawayafye
GOOD MOVE WE SUPPORT YOU,,,,,,,,,,,
The Zambian minister who has powers to arrest, prosecute, judge and convict. Unbelievable!
Toothless and useless masquarades
Her comment was that inspectors that come in small groups are easily bribed !
So its an open admission that the laws and our inspectorate are corrupt.
Instead of ranting about Chinese and Lebanese and Indians… why dont we get our house in order first before blaming those coming from afar ?
No matter how many publicity threats the minister makes, if the whole system is corrupted, nothing will function properly.
Also why is she making idle threats ? She should have set an example against the Korean owners ! She should have deported instead of threatening to deport !!
This is just grand-standing for the public. We want to see action from the party formed by the man of action. If he was here, heads would have rolled on the spot !!
Joyce Nonde is a devil advocate nothing good comes from this unpatriotic woman