Polarised labour movement worries HH as ZCTU lobbies for higher PAYE tax exemption

Polarised labour movement worries HH …as ZCTU lobbies for higher PAYE tax exemption

By MUKWIMA CHILALA

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has expressed concern over the polarised labour movement in the country. And the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has complained that the reduction of Pay As You Earn tax threshold from K4, 000-K4, 500 was too minimal, saying it should have been increased to at least K8, 000.

This was when the ZCTU executive paid a courtesy call on President Hichilema at State House and highlighted a number of concerns. President Hichilema said that there’s need to advance strong partnership between the labourmovement and government because the two were driving for a common cause.

He also cautioned that the union should not be quick to withdraw labour when government is available to table any issue. President Hichilema said there’s need to have another engagement between the labour movement, Government and investors so as to find a common ground of driving the country’s agenda. “And ZCTU president Chishimba Nkole said they were concerned with the adjustment in PAYE and Corporate Tax.

MrNkole said the current tax system puts a burden on employees while being soft on the investors. But President Hichilema said the government took into account many of the concerns raised by the ZCTU and will be more considerate in the next budget.