Government has called on foreign investors to abide by the laws of the country when handling human resources issues.
Labour Minister Joyce Simukoko said this when she toured some farms in Chongwe district with area Member of Parliament Japhen Mwakalombe this morning.
Ms Simukoko said government wants a fair deal between investors and employees so as to promote development.
She noted the trend by most investors who take advantage of the ignorance of some local people concerning labour rights and hence exploit their workers.
Ms Simukoko also observed that records have shown that Zambian employers also have the habit of mistreating workers.
“We have records that show that our own people are the ones that are abusing their employees by paying them peanuts and not giving them safety clothing,” Ms Simukoko said.
She also called on workers in the country to always speak out when they find that their rights are being abrogated.
Ms Simukoko emphasised on the need for employers to take note that every right, has responsibilities and appealed to workers to make use of their leaders so as to ensure their concerns are attended to.
“The biggest problem with our people today, is ignorance and not having interest in fighting for what is theirs in the name of fear,” she noted.
And Chongwe MP Japhen Mwakalombe said he has been receiving reports of farm workers going through a lot of hardships at the hands of investors.
He disclosed that most farm workers in his constituency are poorly paid and live in deplorable houses.
“I have been receiving reports and am glad the minister of Labour together with the commissioner and inspectors are here to see for themselves,” Mr Mwakalombe said.
Meanwhile Labour Commissioner Givens Muntengwa disclosed that the visit is aimed at promoting labour laws at the work place and also ensure peace and harmony prevails between employee and employer.
“All I can say is that a team of our officers working together with the local leadership will be visiting these farms to try and harmonise the worker’s conditions of service according to the Labour laws,” Muntengwa said.
Among the farms visited where Chartonel Estates, Diamondale Farm and Chambers Valley farms.
With what moral authority when your very own newly recruited govt medical doctors’ remuneration has not been formalized for months?
This is the only country in SADC where investors can play around with laws. I could not believe it that the Minister had to plead with an investor despite knowing that he broke the labour laws to reason. Its like the labour inspectors have been compromised from mining companies like Kalumbila Mine and others to farmers. Why should it take the area MP to alert the Labour Ministry of mistreatment of workers. When we say corruption has spread across all sectors we are not taken seriously. So for this situation to be addressed we need the Provincial Minister Bowman Lusambo or the President to interven? Lets ensure that labour laws are enforced to the later. Does it mean when the so called investors upon being issued with investment authority are not made aware to strictly adhere to our labour…
Same toothless warning everyday
Saying that in an election year is stupid! Excuse me ! you the worst labour minister ever to appointed madame! Who can believe what you saying and your conduct only the one who appointed you , not Zambians !
Meanwhile those that work for Chinese are still locked up in factories without fresh air or lunch breaks and get paid peanuts at the end of the month, very very small salary not even enough to send all the children to school, pay rent and provide food for the family
Madam please conduct some spot checks as well, your warning alone is not enough. There are Zambians that are suffering in the workplace at the hands of these foreign employers in Zambia.
#BestBefore31May2021 bali mu expiry period from parliament.
She has woken up from her slumber
Make it MANDETORY for all to wear PPE we’re it’s Necessary … Some place of works Aweee sure?
Yaba mayo mwalikwisa..
Giving lectures to investors when Government has for 17 years failed to remit NAPSA statutory remittance (2000 to 2003) for former ex-RAMCOZ employees. Madam Simukoko clean your acts and lead by example before you start lecturing others.
That’s why in Luanshya you can not bribe them, you give them money it is pocket money and will vote for someone who will effectively represent them not bootlickers. 99% of the time we vote for the opposition NDC MMD or UNPD.