13 November 2009
editorial
THE National Union for Communication Workers (NUCW) leadership deserves commendation for the noble and mature manner in which it is approaching the impending Zamtel sale.
Whereas many have chosen to oppose the sale, some without even understanding what is really at stake, the union has accepted that privatisation of Zamtel, however strategic the institution may be, is inevitable.
The sale of Zamtel should not be argued politically but rather be seen from a commercial perspective and the sooner that is realised by all who seek to make capital out on this issue, the better.
The reason the union is in full support of the Government's decision to divest up to 75 per cent of its stake in Zamtel is the knowledge that the company is in dire straits and without recapitalisation, it could easily go under.
And liquidation would not be in the best interest of the nation, as it would have devastating effects and many more jobs would be lost. Examples abound.
The union is alive to the fact that only a strategic partner with financial and technical muscle can salvage Zamtel and enable it compete favourably in a dynamic sector.
They also appreciate that redundancies and retrenchments are unavoidable to make the company leaner and more competitive and efficient.
But rather than argue for the sake of popularity and propaganda, the union has done what any responsible trade union should do - fight to protect the workers' interests.
The fact that they have negotiated a severance package well ahead of the privatisation process is a step in the right direction and this will help prevent past experiences where retrenched workers battled for many years to get their benefits and some died without receiving their packages.
To that we say hats-off and we implore the union to ensure that this agreement is followed through so that each worker is paid his/her dues and is left to decide whether to join the new company or not.
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