By KETRA KALUNGA
DON’T fall prey to political manipulation to avoid drifting away from your principles of protecting and promoting the interests of your members, the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) cautions unions.
ZCTU President, Chishimba Nkole said it’s unfortunate that some unions have allowed themselves to be manipulated by political parties, thereby compromising their principles.
Mr Nkole was speaking in Kabwe at the weekend during the Zambia Union of Security Officers and Allied Workers-ZUSAW.
He urged the unions to avoid being divided on political lines because this would weaken their existence.
“This is a matter which unions must always avoid and must be clearly understood by all union leaders that being divided on political lines is going to weaken us,” he said.
Mr Nkole said while it’s the union’s policy to work with the government of the day, they shouldn’t allow politics to bring divisions.
He urged labour unions to strike a balance between politics and their mandate to the membership.
“We can’t run away from talking politics because political decisions affect the lives of our members but we need to be careful the way we engage with the politicians,” Mr Nkole said.
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