Thu, 22 Feb 2018 07:29:55 +0000
By AARON CHIYANZO
THE Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT), the largest affiliate to the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has thrown its weight behind the National Health Insurance Bill and has called on Members of Parliament to expedite the process through to third reading.
ZNUT secretary general, Newman Bubala noted with concern over the delay in the implementation of the Public Health Insurance Scheme.
Mr Bubala said that according to the collective agreement that was signed with Government, the scheme was scheduled to start on 1st January, 20l8.
He however said that it was sad that the bill on Health Insurance Scheme had not even reached third reading stage in Parliament.
Mr Bubala said in a statement that it was the union’s desire that the Minister of Health, Dr Chitalu Chilufya with the support of MPs expedite the public good.
He pledged for support from ZNUT, adding that the longer it took to actualise the bill, the more it delayed to benefit employees, which he said at the end of the day, would be causing an injustice to the workers.
“ZNUT has noted with concern over the delay in the implementation of the Public Health Insurance Scheme.
“It is our desire that the Minister of Health with the support of members of Parliament expedite this public good,” said Mr Bubala.
Meanwhile, the ZCTU, together with the Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) rejected the bill on the pretext that it would over burden financial obligations for employees.
Mr Bubala disassociated himself and ZNUT from the position taken by ZCTU secretary general Cosmas Mukuka who rejected and condemned the social health insurance bill before the Parliamentary Committee on Health.
In a related development the Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) has equally distanced itself from the ZCTU secretary general and BETUZ president, Mr Cosmas Mukuka.
This makes four public service unions who have supported the bill. In separate press briefings held by BETUZ, NUPPEZ, UGZ and ZNUT, the public service unions all supported the bill and appealed to all parliamentarians and progressive Zambians to support it when it comes for third reading
The unions said this consultation process started in 2012 in line with the life cycle conditions of service to guide the public service joint negotiations for improved salaries and conditions of service.
