Management at Kapdi group of companies in Kapiri Mposhi district have for the seventh time snubbed summons by government to discuss the plight of its former workers.
Kapdi group of companies management and proprietor Liaqat Kapdi has once more disregarded the invitation from government to discuss the plight of over 55 workers laid-off from the various companies operating in Kapiri Mposhi without paying them terminal benefits.
This has led to a series of protests against the management and owner by the former workers demanding to be paid their benefits.
The government through the department of Labour and Arbitration based at the Council has for some time now been arranging meetings with the Mr Kapdi to discuss the plight of the fired workers.
But Mr. Kapdi has been disregarding summons by government through the department of Labour and Arbitration which is tasked to look at labour issues and dispute resolutions between employees and employers in the district.
According to a letter written by Kapiri Mposhi Council Secretary, Mpande Hamwende who in this case acts as Magistrate Class II of the Subordinate Court, Mr. Kapdi was yesterday summoned to appear at the council chambers around 14:30 hours but did not turn-up much to the disappointment of the irate workers who waited to hear their fate.
In April this year, Mr. Kapdi allegedly fled his office when he was informed of Labour Deputy Minister, Ronald Chitotela’s scheduled visit to inspect the labour laws compliance at his companies and settling of some outstanding issues relating to payment of terminal benefits to his former workers.
Meanwhile, the former workers have appealed to government to charge Mr. Kapdi for disregarding its orders.
Former workers’ spokesperson, Laurent Mutale said Mr. Kapdi was adulterating the government’s efforts to amicably resolve the problems of unpaid benefits to the affected workers.
“This man tell us who ever we report to is in his pockets that’s why he continues firing us without paying us any money and he is now arbitrary disregarding government’s calls to pay us and efforts to resolve labour issues at his companies.. we appeal that he be disciplined,” Mr. Mutale said.
The Kapdi group of companies comprises haulage, filling stations, bakeries, wholesales, a chain of supermarkets, hardware shops and water bottling companies.
The affected workers include drivers, stores officers, fuel attendants, shop keepers and mechanics among others.
Mr. Kapdi did not answer his mobile phone when contacted by ZANIS.
ZANIS
“According to a letter written by Kapiri Mposhi Council Secretary, Mpande Hamwende who in this case acts as Magistrate Class II of the Subordinate Court”
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. how. civil servant and legislature one person. If he steals as council secretary, then he will find himself at the court. it has never only in PF govt.
You do not obey the law, how do you expect others to obey? hahahahahah
He is simply taking a leaf from the government which disregards court orders all the time!
These are labour matters so why should council poke it’s nose and worse by a magistrate? lol.
As long as the workers are not unionized the government should not get involved.
If workers feel they have been wrongly terminated they can sue in a court of law and not run to government.
I would also ignore the government’s summons in such a situation.Let the courts decide and if the workers have a case the proprietor does not need to be present as a ruling can be made with or without his input.
Court Order? Court summons? – what’s that?
This is the unfortunate fruit of Sata dictatorship running zambia where court summons or rulings mean nothing.
Court orders are being ignored by Sata and his government and other people will do the same. Lawlessness has been officiated by Sata and PF govt. There is only one set of laws for all to obey and Kapdi follows precedence set by Sata and his govt to disobey its own laws. Probaly PF govt should just employ these laid off workers.