ZCTU calls crisis talks over Zesco tariff hike

Thu, 25 May 2017 12:16:02 +0000

By  JOSSY CHAIMA

ZAMBIA Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Chishimba Nkole says the hike of ZESCO tariffs has resulted into the rising cost of living.

Mr Nkole was speaking when he officiated at a ZCTU national leaders’ orientation workshop held at Edinburgh Hotel in Kitwe yesterday.

Mr Nkole said the effects of tariff hike on workers’ income were obvious and a lukewarm approach to negotiations for improved conditions of services for workers will not be entertained.

He said ZCTU will soon be calling a meeting of all trade union leaders to discuss the impact of the increase on the ‘‘suffering workers’’ in order to chart the way forward.

“We do understand the fiscal challenges ZESCO is currently experiencing but this should not mean killing the very engine of economic growth. Cost reflective tariffs should not mean choking the citizenry and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) growth,” he said.

Mr Nkole said the trade union was an advocate of social justice and it will not hesitate to criticize where they felt social partners needed to do better because criticism builds.

He said criticism was meant to build and anyone who criticized must be ready to receive it as well.

“We are activists and advocates of social justice; we therefore do not need to hesitate when it comes to participating in national debates affecting not only our members but the community we live in.

‘‘We shall acknowledge where we see progress and definitely criticize where we feel our social partners need to do better,” he said.

Mr Nkole said trade unions have been facing challenges in negotiating with private and public sectors in order to improve the conditions of service for the members.

In order to overcome these challenges there was need for trade unions to come up with concerted efforts and ideas.

Mr Nkole said as a union mother body they will continue to lobby  and advocate for the creation of sustainable and decent jobs that will support small and medium businesses.