The government has reiterated its commitment to the Decent work agenda through the continued review of labour issues and the provision of sector-based minimum wage in line with the Patriotic Front (PF) party manifesto.
And Minister of Labour and Social Security, Joyce Simukoko says there is a need to bring out tangible solutions to labour issues in all sectors as evidenced by past results such as the revision of the minimum wage for workers in 2012.
Ms Simukoko was speaking when she officially opened the Tripartite Consultative Labour Council meeting held at the Government Complex in Lusaka yesterday.
“My ministry always looks forward to these meetings as they are a platform for resolution of many issues that negatively impact the labour market, through this forum, we have made notable strides such as the revision of minimum wages for the vulnerable employees in 2012 and subsequent revision of the same in 2018” she said.
She has further disclosed that the labour advisory committee will consider Mining, Information and Technology and media sectors going forward and that consultations in the media sector have already commenced.
Mrs Simukoko has, however, cautioned employers against the abuse of Statutory Instrument number 48 0f 2020, through which employers have applied for relief as a result of COVID19 effects on business but rather provide guidance and open dialogue with employees on issues faced by the companies.
Speaking at the same occasion, Zambia Federation of Employers, Acting President, Sakala Ngoma called on the Government to consider suspending the Tobacco and Nicotine products bill to allow all stakeholders to carefully analyse the proposal and its effects on the labour market.
“We request you as Minister responsible for labour in the country to engage your counterpart in the Ministry of Health on this matter and ask him to hold on to this Bill and allow for wider stakeholder consultation. Let’s engage and ensure that once this bill is passed it does not create undesirable ripple effects or implications to the already fragile employment situation in the country”. She said.
And International Labour Organisation (ILO) Country Director George Okutho said he is confident that the meeting will make decisions that serve the interests of workers and employers in the country and has pledged the ILO’s continued offering technical and financial support to the resolutions of the meeting.
BLAH BLAH BLAH …….. IN THIS RECESSION ????????? NO CHANCE
The minimum wage was initially implemented under pf, and has gone on to help Many people who were practically working as slaves in prior governments. We remain flexible to making changes to it for our people’s benefits. It is sad that it is well known hh gives his farm workers peanuts. We need to go after people like him who pay below minimum wage. Let him first wake up from coma
The worst minister of labour after liato
MOST USELESS PARTY SINCE KAUNDA AS WELL
Typical corrupt PF government behaviour: they want private employers to pay more, but the government doesn’t pay retirees and doctors and underpays nurses and teachers. What a nerve! And our own UK diasporan the corrupt KZ hasn’t paid his own workers for months!
All my workers earn more than what you f00lish upnd diasporans earn for working 50 hour shifts cleaning toilets
Dont mind this inept labour minister Joyce Simukoko…she is just in that position because she is a loud mouth at PF rallies with Jean “The Baptists” Kapata. Its lauaghable her talking about commitment to minimum wage after all these years when elections are near.
You should try your best not to take ANYTHING trolls say seriously. NO matter how POORLY they behave, remember these people spend countless UNPRODUCTIVE hours trying to make people mad. They’re not WORTH your time of day.
If they had only been as busy in the years they have been power, Zambians would not care who is ruling the country. When will politicians in Zambia realise that?
3 more months n it’s a new lease of life. Vote wisely
THERE IS ON ONE PERSON IN A COMA AND HE HEADS THIS COUNTRY >> CANT HE SEE THE STRIFE THAT HIS PARTY HAS CAUSED
CANT HE SEE CORRUPTION IS TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL
CANT HE SEE ZAMBIA HAS SUNK TO UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS
Kkkkkk,minimum wage!
Its sad to understand that some mining contractors is still paying its employees a k1200/month