ZCTU’s Position on Bill 7 Alarms Workers, Says Msoni
All People’s Congress president Nason Msoni has criticised the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions for supporting the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025, accusing the labour movement’s leadership of betraying workers and aligning itself with oppressive political interests.
Msoni made the remarks in a statement issued on Saturday, December 13, 2025, following an appearance by ZCTU president Blake Mulala before the Parliamentary Select Committee on December 12, 2025. During the hearing, Mulala urged members of Parliament to enact Bill 7 into law and warned that workers would “deal with” those who opposed it.
Msoni described ZCTU’s position as shocking and alarming, stating that the union leadership had misrepresented its membership by endorsing what he described as an illegal constitutional amendment. He stated that the Constitutional Court had already ruled the process leading to Bill 7 unconstitutional, rendering continued support for the bill a violation of the rule of law.
He said the stance taken by the trade union leadership reflected alignment with authoritarian tendencies rather than the interests of ordinary workers. According to Msoni, Zambian workers would never willingly support a system of governance that undermines their own rights and economic security.
Msoni questioned the logic of backing Bill 7 at a time when workers continue to face low wages, high taxation, prolonged power outages, and a high cost of living. He noted that civil service unions operating under the ZCTU umbrella remain deadlocked with government over salary negotiations, making the union’s advocacy for constitutional changes that create additional political offices inconsistent with workers’ lived realities.
He further raised concern about the financial implications of the proposed constitutional amendments, arguing that an expanded Parliament would place a heavier tax burden on workers. Msoni also questioned how workers could support constitutional changes that, in his view, would concentrate executive authority and allow greater discretion in hiring and firing public officials.
Drawing on a biblical analogy, Msoni likened the conduct of ZCTU’s leadership to that of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. He stated that the union leadership had betrayed suffering workers by siding with those he described as oppressors instead of defending worker interests.
Msoni warned that political power is temporary and urged unions, student movements, and civic organisations to prioritise the welfare of the people over partisan loyalty. He referred to several organisations and institutions that previously opposed constitutional amendments alongside the current ruling party but are now being labelled adversaries for opposing Bill 7.
He cautioned that history and posterity would judge the ZCTU leadership, particularly its president, for supporting what he described as an illegal constitutional process. Msoni reiterated that Bill 7 had already been declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court and should not proceed further.
The APC leader stated that no Zambian worker would support the creation of new political offices while living in poverty, enduring prolonged electricity outages, struggling with unaffordable health care, and facing stagnant wages. He accused the ZCTU leadership of placing self-interest above the welfare of the workers they represent.
