President Levy Mwanawasa says government will not withdraw the Labour law and the industrial bill because adequate consultations were made before the bill was taken to parliament.
He said social partners have concluded consultations on the proposed labour law reforms and the industrial and labour relations amendments bill which has since been tabled in parliament.
Dr. Mwanawasa said the development is a great development towards ensuring that there is social justice in the manner employers interact with employers at places of work.
Dr. Mwanawasa stated that it was only the Labour movement mother body who was agitated by the by the bill stating that other region in the movement were happy.
The President advised people agitated to make submission to the parliamentary committee that will be assignment to look at the bill.
He said if the committee agrees with the submissions, that it will make appropriate recommendation but that if it does not agree, that the bill would be taken back to parliament for enactment.
The President said very soon the labour commission office would be checking on the accounts book of labour movement to see how the money’s are being utilised.
Dr. Mwanawasa said government has received reports of money being used to pay legal fees, build houses at the expense of poor workers.
The President made the remarks in response to Zambia Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) President Leonard Hikaumba who urged government to withdraw the bill so as to allow for further consultations.
He said some of the clauses included in the bill were not agreed on during the tripartite consultative meeting.
On demands for increased salaries, the president urged the union to make demands that are reasonable as they are able to obtain information which relates to government’s financial performance.
He said the labour movement should be mindful of where the money would come from as they make their demands.
The President however stated that he was happy with the economy achievement that the country has attained.
“We know our country was down on its knees, but its important that we work together so that the country fully develop,’ he said.
And President has warned mining companies that they will fail to acquire the needed profits if they deny the workers better working conditions.
He said even after the newly introduced mineral taxes that mining companies would still a lot from their investment.
He reiterated that Zambians taxes in the mining sectors were not high on average as compared to other mining countries.
Government this year introduced new taxes in the mining sector that include increase corporate tax, windfall taxes and the mineral royalty .
And Labour and social security minister Ronald Mukuma said government is working with other social partners to strengthen dialogue.
He said due to the harmony in the labour market, that all the wheels of productions are in motion.
