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By Kapa187
Government announces revised minimum wage
Government has finally announced the revised minimum wages and conditions of employment acts for various categories of workers following the amendment of statutory instruments order 2011 No. 1 of 2011, order 2011 No. 2 of 2011 and order 2011 No. 3 of 2011.
Labor and Social Securities Minister Fackson Shamenda said at a media briefing in Lusaka this morning that this is in fulfillment of the Patriotic Front government’s promises of putting more money in people’s pockets.
The revision implies that wages for various categories have been revised upwards with domestic workers’ wages increased from K250 000 to K522, 400 with transport allowance inclusive.
Shop workers’ revised minimum wage is pegged at K1, 132, 400 with transport, lunch and housing allowances inclusive and that the wages will increase according to the grades of employees while the minimum wage of the highest grade in this category will be getting K2, 372, 519.
In the general workers’ category which includes receptionist and clerks among others, the minimum wage for category one workers is K1, 132, 400 while that of category five has been pegged at K2, 101, 039.
Mr. Shamenda said under this order, the lowest worker will be getting K1, 132,400.
He has since signed and issued statutory instruments No. 45 of 2012 for domestic workers, 46 of 2012 for general workers and 47 of 2012 for shop workers to effect these changes.
He says the changes are with effect from July 4th 2012 when the instruments were gazetted.
The minister said the statutory instruments cover vulnerable groups of employees who are not represented by unions.
Mr. Shamenda has further warned compliance to the amended statutory instruments is not optional and that defaulting companies risk facing the wrath of the law if found wanting.
He says the ministry will therefore intensify countrywide labor inspections to ensure total compliance.
The minister has further called on the media in the country to expose any companies that will not comply with the law adding that government will not condone victimization of workers.
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Masumba avoids MMD youths at parliament
MMD Mufumbwe Member of Parliament Steven Masumba yesterday afternoon eluded MMD cadres who had gathered at the entrance of the parliament building to block him from entering parliament.
Mr. Masumba evaded the cadres who were led by MMD Die Hard Youth Coordinator, Bowman Lusambo by entering parliament premises before 13:00 hours and using a different entrance other than the main gate where the cadres had gathered.
And MMD Die Hard Youth Coordinator, Bowman Lusambo expressed disappointment that Mr. Masumba evaded them saying they wanted to block him from entering parliament.
He said the youths and the enter MMD are disappointed with the behavior of Mr. Masumba who is also Local Government Deputy Minister whom they have accused of letting the party down.
Mr. Lusambo told journalists in an interview at Parliament that the youths will not tolerate such behavior as exhibited by Mr. Masumba.
He also disclosed that the youths have also petitioned the National Secretary to have Mr. Masumba removed from the party adding the Secretariat has since promised to look into the matter.
ZANIS reports that the MMD Die Hard Youth Coordinator has also threatened to continue with such action and fish out all MMD MPs who are believed to be sale out.
He also challenged Mr. Masumba to resign from the party and contest the seat on the PF ticket to prove his popularity in Mufumbwe.
Mr. Lusambo alleged that Mr. Masumba has lost popularity in his constituency and that Chiefs and the entire membership in the North Western province and his constituency no longer want him.
But Mr. Masumba said he is only interested in bringing development to the people of Mufumbwe and the nation as a whole.
He said as Deputy Minister of Local Government, he wants to work with the government to deliver the many promises it made to the Zambian people.
“We as government are in a hurry to deliver on the many promises we made to the people of Zambian during the election campaigns. So we want to ensure that we work on those promises. I otherwise leave all this in the hands of God who will judge everything,” he said.
Mr. Masumba has since advised Mr. Lusambo not to be personal but concentrate on his work in the MMD.
He refused to be dragged into politicking over the issue raised by the MMD youths saying they should not attribute their loss in the local government by-elections in his constituency to him.
“People are generally interested in supporting a committed government that will fulfill its promises, so let the MMD not include me in their loss of popularity in my constituency,” he said.
Mr. Masumba has also advised the youths to stop being personal but instead support each other towards the development of the nation.
He has, however, promised to issue a statement if he ever decides to take any action like resigning from the MMD.
The placard carrying MMD cadres who arrived at parliament building at 13:00 hours were also supported by a few of their counterparts from the UPND who had come to escort newly elected Livingstone Central MP, Rev. Howard Sikwela to Parliament.
ZANIS
Joshua Banda asks youths to reflect on their lives
The National AIDS Council of Zambia (NAC) has urged youths to reflect on their lives as Zambia joins the rest of the world in commemorating the World Population Day which falls tomorrow.
NAC Chairman Joshua Banda says his organisation is concerned about the behaviour of youths towards issues that hinge on reproduction.
Bishop Banda says it is saddening that young people, who are in the reproductive age group, are engaging themselves in illicit behaviour such as excessive beer drinking, drug abuse, prostitution and lack of respect for elders.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS ahead of World Population Day, Bishop Banda, who is also Northmead Assembly of God Overseer, said the HIV prevalence rate is high among young people aged between 15 and 49 years.
He said efforts to make Zambia an HIV/AIDS free nation were being frustrated by the reproductive age group who he described as the future leaders and the mirror of the nation.
“As we celebrate World Population Day tomorrow, youths should reflect on their lives and make strong decisions because society looks up to them. Instead, what we see is the opposite among this reproductive age group, drinking and prostitution is the order of the day,” Bishop Banda said.
The 2012 theme is:“Universal access to reproductive health services”.
He, however, commended Government efforts in the provision of free Anti-retroviral drugs to all affected people.
And Bishop Banda has appealed to the Zambian youths to consider their Congolese counterparts as their own brothers and sisters.
Commenting on the recent killing of a Zambian truck driver who was burnt to death in neighbouring Democratic Republic Congo, the Clergyman regretted the incident and said it is un-acceptable to allow young people to take the law into their own hands.
Bishop Banda said what is obtaining now if left unchecked will culminate in an ‘explosion’ thereby affecting the bilateral relations the two peoples and countries have enjoyed for a long time now.
ZANIS
Creating jobs or delivering a constitution in 90 days is unrealistic-Wynter Kabimba
Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has admitted that it was not realistic that jobs or the constitution can be delivered in 90 days.
Speaking during a ZNBC Radio programme themed ‘Has PF Delivered on Campaign Promises, Nine Months in Government – What’s the Way Forward?’, Mr Kabimba, however said that the PF government is determined to create employment.
Mr Kabimba said the PF was determined to tackle all challenges including the high unemployment levels and appealed for patience among the citizens.
He said it was too early to criticise PF’s performance saying with time, the “fruits” of voting for President Sata’s led administration would start to trickle down to the masses.
Mr Kabimba said the PF’s victory was a revolution for Zambians from the corrupt MMD regime which he accused of running national affairs to satisfy personal needs after abandoning interests of citizens.
He said it would be unfair for Zambians to judge the performance of the PF Government in its nine months because it took over poorly-handled national affairs.
Mr. Kabimba also maintained that the fight against corruption is not selective but targeted at everyone regardless of political affiliation.
He pointed out that the PF wants to rid the country of corruption at all levels of society.
And Mr Kabimba said that the opposition political parties must feel free o engage the ruling party on local issues and not embarrass themselves by going to foreign dignitaries accredited to Zambia.
Mr. Kabimba said that diplomats are not accredited to Zambia to come and run the affairs of the country, but their countries interests.
He said that when the PF was in opposition it never approached donors on local issues but did so on issues with an international dimension such as elections.
Meanwhile, the he Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock will in the next two years employ about 4 000 trained personnel to fill vacancies in the ministry.
Agriculture and Livestock Deputy Minister Rodgers Mwewa said that 1 000 staff will be recruited this year while 3 000 will be employed next year.
Mr. Mwewa said that the move absorb all trained staff in the agriculture sector. The Deputy Minister was speaking yesterday after touring NRDC.
Meanwhile Mr. Mwewa is concerned at the poor sanitary situation of students’ hostels at the – NRDC- in Lusaka.
ZNBC
Dr Kaseba calls on donors, governments to invest in family planning
FIRST Lady Dr. Christine Kaseba-Sata has told a London conference that there is urgent need for effective private-public and donor partnerships in the delivery of family planning services among the disempowered groups in poor countries.
This is according to First Secretary for press at the Zambian High commissioner in London Amos Chanda in a statement released to the media.
Dr Kaseba said this when she delivered a keynote address to the Marie Stopes-organised pre-conference discussion on the theme: “Making Money Work for Family Planning” at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecology in London, United Kingdom.
Dr Kaseba emphasized that family planning was critical particularly for women and youths who are the more disadvantaged groups when it comes to choices over reproductive rights.
She said: “It is smart economics to invest in women. I want to call upon all the donors to Zambia’s health sector and the Third World in general to let the money work for family planning, increase dialogue between and among the donors, public and private sectors in order to save lives.”
She said donors supporting the health sector in Zambia were working very well with the government and thanked Marie Stopes particularly for expanding family health services in both rural and urban areas of the country.
His Excellency, Lt. Colonel Bizwayo Nkunika, the Zambia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, who accompanied the First Lady along with Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health Dr. Joseph Katema, said the mission is pleased with the resounding applause given to the First Lady by the audience at the college where she did her post graduate studies in medicine years back.
Lt. Col Nkunika said the First Lady will again speak as a panelist at the London Summit on Family Planning on July 11, 2012 at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre at the joint invitation of the British government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Health ministers from Tanzania and Uganda were among the panelists that spoke alongside Dr Kaseba. British Minister for International Development Andrew Mitchell will be the guest of honour at the two-day summit that has attracted ministers and dignitaries from various countries.
Masebo to make Zambia most preferred tourist destination
Newly appointed Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo has pledged to make Zambia a preferred tourist destination across the continent.
Ms. Masebo says Zambia has numerous tourism attractions which need to be marketed to the outside world for the country to maximize gains in forex.
The Minister has also charged that she will endeavor to change the perception of tourism to encourage more local tourists.
Ms. Masebo says Zambians must begin to appreciate the tourist attractions and natural resources the country is endowed with and take up the challenge of promoting the tourism industry.
She has since further urged the media in the country to take an active role in promoting tourism locally and internationally to ensure that the country maximizes benefits from the industry.
QFM
Hector Chilombo Joins Power Dynamos Bench
Forest Rangers head coach Hector Chilombo has quit the Ndola side to join Faz Super Division Champions Power Dynamos as an assistant coach.
Forest secretary Davies Ngulube confirmed on Tuesday evening.
Ngulube said Chilombo resigned after a meeting with Forest officials on Tuesday afternoon.
“Finally, Hector Chilombo has moved to Power Dynamos. He tendered his resignation after a meeting with us this afternoon,” he revealed.
Ngulube said George Chilufya who was Chilombo’s assistant is now the acting club head coach.
Chilombo joins the Power technical bench led by head coach Beston Chambeshi.
Chilombo leaves Forest whom he joined in 2010 after taking over from Linos Makwaza.
Ban on use of Dollar in Zambia is illegal-HH
United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has said that the party is shocked by the signing of the statutory instrument number 33 that seeks to stop dollar transactions in the country.
Mr Hichilema said that the statutory instrument is illegal as it quotes from a piece of legislation that does not exist in the statute books.
Mr. Hichilema since demanded that Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda suspends that statutory instrument number 33 of 2012 within the next 7 days, failure to which the party will seek the courts for interpretation on the legality of the instrument.
And Mr Hichilema has said that former Republican President Rupiah Banda was right to send a letter of apology on behalf of Zambians to former US president George Bush.
[pullquote]Mr. Hichilema said that what Mr. Rupiah Banda did was right because the nation can no longer continue to allow being embarrassed.[/pullquote]
Mr. Hichilema has since stated that he will write to President Michael Sata to advise him on how his conduct should be when meeting foreign delegates.
Mr. Hichilema said that what Mr. Banda did was right because the nation can no longer continue to allow being embarrassed.
Speaking at a press briefing at the UPND secretariat this morning, Mr. Hichilema said it is time the head of state changed his attitude.
QFM
In the light of parties wanting to petition election results, FODEP calls for electoral reforms
The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has called for reforms in the country’s electoral system to create a system that will give confidence to the people.
FODEP Programmes Manager, Hope Mubanga, observes that the current electoral laws are retrogressive adding that there is need for the country to have a system which will inspire confidence among the people.
She said stakeholders should take advantage of the on-going constitution making process to formulate laws that will see change in the electoral system.
Ms. Mubanga said this in an interview with ZANIS in reaction to calls by the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) and the opposition Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) who have hinted their intentions to petition results of the just ended by elections citing electoral malpractices.
The by-elections which the MMD and the PF wants to petition were necessitated after the seats were nullified by the High Court this year on allegations of electoral malpractices.
But the FODEP official said political parties should look at the interest of the majority Zambians first before they can decide to go ahead and petition the results of the by-elections.
Ms. Mubanga said the people have spoken through another vote and it would be unnecessary for the parties to go and petition the results.
She also urged the parties to observe the electoral laws to ensure that there is no repeat of such incidents.
Ms. Mubanga has, meanwhile, disclosed that FODEP which also monitored the recent by-elections will issue a compressive statement tomorrow on the outcome of the by-elections.
The MMD, which lost to the PF in the Chama North parliamentary by-election, has indicated that it will petition the results while the ruling PF will also petition the Livingstone seat which was scooped by opposition UPND.
ZANIS
UPND thanks Livingstone voters
United Party for National Development (UPND) has thanked the people of Livingstone Constituency for voting for Reverend Howard Sikwela as their area Member of Parliament.
In a press statement to ZANIS in Livingstone yesterday , UPND Livingstone District Information and Publicity Secretary, Neto Halwabala said his party appreciates the support its candidate received from the people including the Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD), United Liberal Party (ULP) and other interest groups.
He said by voting for Reverend Sikwele, the people of Livingstone had proved that they are principled.
He alleged that despite maneuvers by the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) to buy votes from them using materials which they distributed, the people of Livingstone remained focused by voting for the UPND candidate.
Mr. Halwabala alleged that the ruling party distributed gifts in form of chickens, mealie meal, sugar and maize in an attempt to induce people of Livingstone Constituency to vote for their candidate Mr. Joseph Akafumba.
“The ruling party resorted to extreme violence in an attempt to scare people from turning up for voting but you people turned up in large numbers, 20,000 plus and voted for candidates of your choice,” said Mr. Halwabala.
He said now that the elections were over and Livingstone Constituency had a member of parliament, people must unite and work together in order to develop the tourist capital.
Mr. Halwabala stated that Patriotic Front (PF) members were free to meet the newly elected Member of Parliament and present their problems and to advise him on how best the constituency could be developed.
And commenting on the PF’s intention to petition the election results, Mr. Halwabala said UPND was eagerly waiting for the petition.
ZANIS
Labour and Tourism Ministry re-aligned again, Masebo, Lungu appointed as Cabinet Ministers
Republican President Michael Sata has appointed Chongwe Member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo as minister of Tourism and Arts while former deputy minister in the office of the Vice President Edgar Lungu is new Home Affairs Minister.
President Sata has since transferred Kennedy Sakeni to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with Fackson Shamenda retaining the labor portfolio which has been de-linked from the ministry of information.
The Tourism portfolio has been de-linked from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The President has also sworn in Dr. Roland Msiska as deputy secretary to the cabinet in charge of civil service and three Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Velepi Mtonga for Public Service Management Division, Pamela Chibonga and Felix Nkulukusa for budget and economic affairs and economic management respectively at the Ministry of Finance.
President Sata has further conferred the dignity of State Council on four advocates of the High Court of Zambia.
The advocates include Dr. John Mulwila, Mwikisa Mukande, Emmanuel Mwansa and Mwila Chitabo.
Speaking during the swearing in ceremony at State House this morning, President Sata urged the new officer bearers to serve the country diligently stating that Zambia has too many administrative pot-holes which must be corrected.
President Sata said the PF government in line with its party manifesto is pursuing the creation of district Attorneys in order to decentralize prosecution and further urged Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu to use his experience in law to ensure justice is given to the Zambians.
The President also urged the Minister of the newly created Tourism and Arts Sylvia Masebo to explore the Country’s tourism potential.
QFM
Cosmo Mumba gives RB 48 hours to apologise over Sata’s Bush remarks
New Revolution Party (NRP) president Cosmo Mumba has given former republican president Rupiah Banda a 48 hour ultimatum in which to unreservedly apologize to President Michael Sata and the Zambian people or risk the wrath of the party.
And in a turn of events, the NRP has with immediate effect removed its second vice president Charles Mwelwa for allegedly bring the name of the party and its top leadership in disrepute following his incessant attacks in the private media.
ZANIS reports that Dr. Mumba has since challenged Mr. Banda to come to terms with his electoral defeat and behave in a manner that befits the status of a former Head of State.
He wondered why the former Head of State issued an apology on behalf of Zambians to former US president George W. Bush when the later did not demand for one.
The opposition leaders urged Mr. Banda to honorably retire from active politics and enjoy his retirement benefits peacefully.
Dr. Mumba explained that his party is demanding a retraction of Mr. Banda’s apology to Mr. Bush and should instead apology to President Sata in person.
And Dr. Mumba has disclosed that his party has removed its second vice president Charles Mwelwa from the position and the National Executive Committee (NEC) for alleged gross misconduct.
Mr. Mwelwa last month contested the party presidency which he lost to Dr. Mumba and was incorporated in the party as a second vice president.
Dr. Mumba explained that the party decided to remove Mr. Mwelwa following his continued incessant attacks on the party leadership in a named tabloid.
He further explained that Mr. Mwelwa is now an ordinary member of the party and wished him well in his future political endeavours.
ZANIS
MMD must help find solutions – Chanda
THE opposition MMD should come out of “denial” and assist in finding solutions to the high unemployment levels in the country, Open Society Foundation executive director, Sunday Chanda has said.
Mr Chanda said the MMD needed to become progressive especially on matters of the unemployment it created rather than focus on unnecessarily attacking the PF.
He said the MMD had failed to innovate but was trying to be a “copycat” of what they thought the Patriotic Front (PF) used to be while in opposition.
He advised that if the MMD leaders wanted to take on President Michael Sata and the PF, they needed to be original and find bigger brains.
“MMD’s best brains must prevail because the former ruling party is exhausted and it will collapse entirely if they do not step in and reposition the party. It needs to renew itself and once more believe in a future they used to believe in between 1990 and 1991,” he said.
He said MMD’s denial that it never created today’s unemployment confirmed the fact that the leadership was full of deceit as it was plain for everyone to see that the former ruling party left millions of youth unemployed and without any form of empowerment.
“The MMD cannot be in a state of denial to this point. This is a crisis that they created.
“They must reach out to the unemployed youth and apologise. It must admit its wrongs and apologise for their failures. Let them own up on unemployment,” he said.
He advised the party to build a strong intra-peer review mechanism than continue to live in denial.
Mr Chanda further charged that MMD’s corruption was not a mere tag that could be done away with by good political statements and speeches.