LUSAKA — Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) President Blake Mulala has suggested that Members of Parliament who voted in favor of Constitution Amendment Bill 7 should have their titles elevated from “Honourable” to “Most Honourable” or “Right Honourable,” stating their actions represent a historic turning point for the nation.
Addressing journalists, Mulala stated that the lawmakers demonstrated courage and responsibility by rising above insults, division, and political pressure to act in the national interest.
He said the MPs showed true leadership by maintaining order during tense debates and ensuring the will of the people was expressed through Parliament.
“If it was within our power as Congress, their titles would be changed from honourables to the most honourables, because they acted positively at the time when they were mostly needed,” Mulala said. “What they have done is historic; they ensured the process went smoothly and that the will of the people was manifested through parliament.”
Mulala emphasized that the ZCTU’s support for Bill 7 followed wide consultations within the labour movement. He noted that unions cannot distance themselves from political matters because government policies directly affect workers.
He also urged the government to engage with those who opposed the bill and to ensure transparency, inclusiveness, and respect for democratic values as the implementation moves forward.
“We cannot shut up as a union, and that will never happen. Bill 7 is a milestone and must be welcomed by all those who mean well. Those who don’t agree with our opinion should at least respect our position; you don’t attack others all because you want them to side with you,” he stated.
Mulala reiterated that the union will remain vocal in defending workers’ rights, democratic governance, and the interests of youths, women, and persons with disabilities.
He added that the passage of Bill 7 marks a new dawn for Zambia’s Parliament and called on all stakeholders to respect differing opinions while working together for the country’s progress.
“We shall continue to speak, consult, and act in the interest of the people. That is the role of a labour movement, and history will remember it,” Mulala concluded.
We had the real ZCTU years back giving workers real representation. Not these jokes. Those days when ZCTU spoke, governments froze. Now you have organizations heavily compromised, toothless and weight less.
The labour movement of those days of FTJ, Chitalu Sampa, Cameron Pwele, Newstead Zimba was the real union. They could hold government to account, these labour movements of nowadays kuwayawaya fye. These days there isnt any feeling that there is a labour movement in the country, with worsening living conditions and workers feeling the pressure one would have thought this is the time, we would hear the voice of unions, alas, perhaps heavily compromised
ZCTU is dead