By Davies Mwila Secretary General Patriotic Front
1. PATRIOTIC FRONT IS A PRO-POOR PARTY AND WE ARE FRIENDS OF THE WORKING CLASS
The Patriotic Front is by design, by objective and by practice a Pro-poor party. We are friends of the working class.
The people’s heartbeat is our heartbeat and the people’s pain is our pain.
Therefore, when our people are laid siege in very trying environments by their foreign employers and their contact with the outside world restricted for weeks on end without even having an opportunity to see their families…our hearts feel their pain.
When Foreign Investors reportedly begin to engage in racially discriminatory practices that remind us of what our forefathers went through during the colonial period, our pain turns into a passionate defense of our proud African identity.
However, our passion should not turn murderous. For in defending the pride of our Africaness, we lose our basic human identity when we take the life of another human being- not matter the race.
So our hearts equally bleed when the lives of investors are taken in senseless cold blood by our people.
2. WE CALL FOR ZAMBIAN WORKERS NOT TO TAKE THE LAW IN THEIR OWN HANDS
It is against this background that we call on our brothers and sisters; our sons and daughters – the workers not to take the law in their own hands but follow laid down procedures to report any labor-related matters.
3. WE CALL FOR INVESTORS TO RESPECT THE COUNTRY’S LABOUR LAWS AND THE TRADITIONAL VALUES THEY HAVE FOUND IN OUR COUNTRY
By the same token, we call on all investors to respect the country’s labour laws well as our cultural and traditional norms.
When in Zambia, the Zambian way overrides the foreign way. That is the bedrock of our co-existence as a people.
Patriotic Front recognizes the importance of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to our economy. However, the said FDI should not be a curse on our dignity. It must always remain a win-win blessing. It should therefore not be at the expense of the dignity of our people or the sovereignty of any nation, including our nation.
“Ichalo bantu”. The Zambian nation is its people. Any racial abuse of any Zambian by any foreigner on Zambian soil is an affront on our entire nationhood. It is inexcusable anywhere in the world.
While we strongly call on our people not to be violent against any foreign investors, we are equally calling upon all foreigner nationals to treat our citizens with dignity while striving to co-exist in unity. Our co-existence must never be characterised by derogatory and racial double standards on either sides.
4. MINISTRY OF COMMERCE TRADE AND INDUSTRY MUST COME OUT CLEAR ON BUSINESSES RESERVED FOR ZAMBIANS
Let me take this opportunity to our Ministry of Commerce and Industry to clearly state which businesses are categorically a preserve of the Zambian people. If it means amending pieces of legislation, this must be done as a matter of urgency.
It is unacceptable that investors should travel hundreds and thousands of miles within and across continents to come and compete with Zambians in cutting hair and selling chickens and airtime at the market? This must never be the case as it is detrimental to the growth of local businesses.
Patriotic Front wants businesses for Zambians clearly stated in subsidiary legislation and this is a clarion call we are making to the economic cluster and Ministry of Commerce in particular.
In the same vein, we demand that empowerment vehicles like Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) must reposition itself as true empowerment vehicle for emerging and existing Zambian entrepreneurs, especially the youth, women and differently-abled persons.
5. THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR MUST ALSO BE SEEN AND PROVED TO BE ACTION ORIENTED IN ENFORCING COMPLIANCE AND GENERALLY SERVING INTERESTS OF ZAMBIANS
Allow me to speak to the Ministry of Labour to ensure their inspectors are not only reactive but proactive.
Patriotic Front’s ideology is that of a pro-poor party as it is a friend of the working class. Wr urge the Ministry to ensure labour relations are cordial and where workers are violated, sanctions, as provided for under the law, must follow. That is the proactiveness we seek to see. That is the proactiveness our people are asking for.
6. WE EXPECT TO SEE MORE ACTION FROM MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO LEGALLY CORRECT ISSUES WITHIN ITS AMBIT
So since His Worship the Mayor Miles Sampa has apologized, we expect to see more action from Ministry of Local Government and Sister Ministries in legally correcting any prevailing situation with deserved urgency.
7. WE ARE A PEOPLE’S MOVEMENT
We are calling for harmonized relations between the workers and employers, domestic and foreign. We are also calling for a more coordinated and multi-disciplined approach from all stakeholders in working towards improved relations between our citizens and investors from any part of the world.
As a matter of policy, we remain on the side of the vast majority of Zambians that continue to see through and reject the opportunistic immaturity of failed opposition parties and their leadership driven by individuals who have historically been anti-working class. While some of them allege corruption against, which has become an old song, they are synonymous with partisan life presidency of a disgruntled conman who cannot explain his riches.
Please mathafacker!
Now the PF secretariat is supporting Mayor Miles Sampa. We told Miles to man up and not apologize to nobody.
That PF is divided, it is clear PF ministers are no longer part of the Party.
Davis Mwila, your party is a shame to Zambians. Many Zambians are disappointed all because of poor leadership exhibited by PF government officials.
If laws are there, why you PF officials and investors not following them?
Just prepare to exit.
Worthless statement. Designed to be perceived as doing something about it. Nonsensical.
I hold a phd
Thanks
BB2014,2016
The Minister of Labour, Simukoko, must go! I fully understand the fact that certain aspects of this issue may fall under the ministry Local Govt, but labour issues are squarely under this woman’s duties. And she seems to missing in action all the time. Sometimes I wonder why President Lungu continue keeping such deadwood around in his cabinet. Mayor Sampa did what he did because Ministers like Simukoko and Banda have completely subjugated their responsibilities…..they seem to have gone AWOL!
Bwana President, you may not realize it yet, but such people in your cabinet are dragging you and your reputation down. This woman and her ministry only seems to wakeup from slumber when issues of employees abuse by their mostly foreign employers hit the media and there is an uproar from the…
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public. Minister Simukoko can not surely look at those trailer containers those workers were forced to sleep for weeks without seeing their families and conclude that that is perfectly alright and within the acceptable treatment of Zambian workers as enshrined in our Labour Laws.
Why does she seem to have this tendency of silencing whistleblowers and siding with foreign business owners/entities? Sometimes you wonder if she even knows what her mandate is. It is NOT to protect foreign businesses but Labour/workers’ interests. But by the look of it, it wouldn’t be surprising if she thinks her responsibility is to protect employers and help bury their wrong doings. In fact, if my memory serves me right, this happened before. I recall not too long ago there was another…
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case in which a foreign restaurant owner was abusing his/her workers and a restaurant patron blew a whistle on the establishment. Simukoko was again quick to exonerate the business and intimidate the whistleblower. The question is why? And the President should surely show some interest in these issues for a change!
I said it before a country like Zambia, we must have established guidelines, rules and laws which must be followed by bye law enforcers (council officials) crack down on illegal business practices.
Chinese, Indians Lebanese, Egyptians and other nationals from rogue states like Somalia have taken business ventures which I’m sure by now are meant for Zambians.
How can an investor from China roast cobs of Maize on the streets? Selling cabbage on the streets.
Madness! PF must go!
Who is fooling who?
That madam at Labour Ministry is indeed brain dead. One wonders why she is still called a minister! These guys in government have developed ”potato chips” bones and lost their spines. Problem is accepting huge kick backs from these same Chinese ”infestors”! These id1ots have auctioned this country!
Davies Mwila must be addressing these issues in cabinet. We are tired of these worthless statements.
He is not a cabinet minister. Just mere PF cadre /PF secretary whatever!
The amount of privaleges given to the Chinese in Zambia is so annoying, let these same Chinese vote for you next year, the whole useless minister of labour justify a wrong with impunity.
Rubbish, always good at yapping nonsense and doing nothing that is why Zambia is in the mess it is in right now. PF have failed to honor what they promised to the people, they could have done Zambia a favor if they all just quit. Nonsense after nonsense with these brain dead misleaders.
PF act like a shadow, seemingly to be with you when there is light and nowhere to be seen in the dark. Which pro poor party, the poor wouldn’t be poorer had PF been a pro poor party. They are never there when the Zambian people complain, joyce nonde is utterly useless to the zambian workers, no matter how much they cry out for help her ministry will never support any Zambian but God is watching and He knows who are worthy to lead and will give them that opportunity for the sake of the people of Zambia.
Friends of which working class? PF are friends to anyone who is corrupt, a crook, a drug lord, a thief, murderers, investors who mistreat people etc. If they were friends of the working class why do we keep losing money from our pockets daily and ever increasing?
Now this is speaking!!! At last somebody courageous who is not even in the government has called a spade a spade, not bakandile ama ministers. How I wish there were more people with the character of Davies Mwila! I don’t know who gave us these cowards of ministers. God help us.
If you tell me that this article was written by Davies Mwila, I will tell you that this is rigging, this is the notorious Sunday just putting the name of his boss there, the only consolation is that there is no offence here.
This GUNDWANE’ is just doing a damage limitation exercise, coz after they sided with their Chinese paymasters, they have read the mood of the Nation & 90% support of M!Les Sampa so they are coming out exactly like the R@ts they are, Chalesi Banda bites & this Dav!es Mwila is blowing on the wound to soothe it, cause they know 2021 is round the corner these dishonest Kh0swe’z.
Lastly #P.FMUSTGO! KUYABEBELEFYE’!
Now Mr Davies Mwila Sir, now that your party with due respect has worsened things from where MMD left them, don’t you think resigning is the noble thing to do. We were crying in MMD including yourselves that things were not good but now that things are worse than MMD, how do you interpret that. This question is just to you sir, please don’t consult contaminated minds at your secretariat who argue on partisan lines rather than objectivity. I am asking in good faith with a lot of humility. We are worse off and this started way before Covid 19
Where is the President? Is he still asleep? Wake up Mr Edgar Lungu, you have a nation to lead and a population to safeguard. Or is it not part of your vision less, tunnel vision??
I just went as far as “pro poor” then I couldn’t continue further due to uncontrollable laughter.
Too little too late. Please don’t listen to these PF slave traders, who have sold our people to the Chinese and other foreigners. They just need to prepare to be kicked out next year. We need to take our country back from these PF traitors. PF better start packing your suitcases. You’re a disgrace not only to Zambians, but to the whole African continent. Already you’ve become infamous for being the party that has dragged Zambians into Chinese colonialism. Africa will never forgive you. You traitors.
PF I really support you but your are always disappointing me. Mr President, please fire some Ministers who are blank in their heads and are quick to support the foreigners for the bribes given to them. These people have destroyed PF. Mr president Sir, its seems as if you don’t meet with these Ministers to discuss crucial issues affecting the country. Each one is off the leash and uttering what ever will reinforce his or her interests and not the Interest of the Zambian people. Sir, to tell you the truth things on the ground are bad in as far as loss of support from the people is concerned, Quickly call for an urgent meeting to iron out animosity the people of Zambia are harboring against PF. Correct the horrible situation your Ministers have created before it is too late.