The Private Sector Development Association (PSDA) has commended government for its decision to extend trading hours across the country.
PSDA Chairperson Yusuf Dodia said the extension of business hours was in line with what business firms have been yearning for, saying most business firms were already operating beyond the official closure of business hours.
Mr . Dodia said the enforcement of the new law was the formalization of what has already been happening in business firms across the country.
He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the move will undoubtedly stimulate economic development as there will be enhanced economic activities.
Mr. Dodia stated that productivity would double and more jobs will be created for the local people as businesses houses will have to employ more workers to cater for extended working hours.
He also said the move will stimulate other business houses like banks and the transport sector to also extend their business houses.
Local Government and Housing Minister Brian Chituwo recently announced the extension of trading hours by five hours across the country in order to afford workers in formal employment an opportunity to shop during the week.
[ ZANIS ]
Banking hour and operating times need serious consideration. Zambian banks are still stuck with opening banks only on the last weekend of the month. This is so behind as banks world wide are now open every weekend some even open on sundays. Banks should open fron 8 am to at least 5 pm.
this is crazy…what are trying to achieve?
Mwata go back t congo,wat we need is more en beta street lights,cctv en police patrol,this is gud 4 our economy,business te 8 t 17 iyo!
Banks in the west can open for extended hours because they are highly automated and have little need for permanent trained staff to man their branches and cater for queues of people who are paid salaries in cash. People in Zambia are still adjusting to ATMs, direct debit, standing orders, debit and credit cards. Opening banks over weekends and extending their hours will necessarily mean over working bank staff, who are already over worked and underpaid. Until automation and labour laws are mature enough to begin emulating western standards, the current systems and opening hours are perfectly adequate for Zambia. One step at a time.
I agree though that it is a good idea to extend trading hours for shopping, as long as people are not forced to work such hours. Employers would have to engage part time workers to ensure that workers are not over worked and, more importantly, the engagement of such part time workers should not encourage employers to abuse and under pay staff. No one should have to work more than the agreed standard for weekly working hours because an employer decides to operate for more than 9 hours a day.