Anthony Mulowa and Obert Simwanza
2 May 2008
Ndola — Government will not withdraw the Industrial and Labour Relations Amendment Bill as demanded by some union leaders because it was formulated with the full participation of the stakeholders.
President Mwanawasa said this yesterday when he officiated at this year's Labour Day celebrations whose theme was "Economic Empowerment Through Decent Work and Social Justice."
Dr Mwanawasa said that trade unions were consulted in the formulation of the Bill and wondered why they could this time around indicate that the piece of legislation should be withdrawn.
The President was reacting to Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president, Leonard Hikaumba's appeal for the Government to withdraw the proposed amendments from Parliament.
"This law was formulated with your full support, so why should it be withdrawn? Mr Hikaumba, you know that we consulted you, the trade unions have been consulted and they made their input," Dr Mwanawasa said.
Dr Mwanawasa explained that consultation did not mean that the Government should accept all the demands but that the ultimate goal was to reach a consensus.
In the case of the Bill, he said, consensus was reached and the Government would, therefore, go ahead with amendments.
Most of the affiliate unions, Dr Mwanawasa said, were happy with the piece of legislation but it was the mother unions that were scared because they feared to make public their books of accounts.
In addition, some officials had overstayed and wanted further to prolong their stay in their respective offices.
He said that some officials from the mother trade unions were long retired but continued to serve at the helm of the trade unions, a scenario he said was wrong.
"It is a fact that there are some members who are retired but cling on to the office. You insist on the President serving for two terms but in your case you serve indefinitely.
"We need audited accounts so that we know how you are handling money. We are told some of this money is used to build houses. We are insisting that we should audit them," Dr Mwanawasa said.
At the stage the enactment of the Act had reached, Dr Mwanawasa suggested that trade unions that felt that there should be some amendments should do so by making their submissions to the parliamentary committee.
He said trade unions should not even threaten that they would strike if the Bill was not withdrawn as that would be tantamount to blackmail.
"Do not be surprised if we fire ringleaders. Ringleaders at the Chambishi were fired and I have directed that they should not be re-engaged," Dr Mwanawasa said.
On the new tax regime in the mining sector, Dr Mwanawasa agreed with Mr Hikaumba that investors should not use that as an excuse not to better the conditions of service for workers.
Dr Mwanawasa said that trade unions agreed to the demands of their members even in instances where they were certain that the organisation would not be able to meet such requirements.
And Dr Mwanawasa is happy with the achievements his administration has scored so far and pledged his continued commitment to ensuring that more Zambians were empowered.
Dr Mwanawasa said the economy had registered positive growth from the time his Government came into office.
He said more jobs, universities, hospitals and schools had been established and challenged Mr Hikaumba to leave a legacy when he left office.
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