CONTRACTED COMPANIES WARNED

Wed, 15 Nov 2017 10:43:59 +0000

…don’t mistreat KCM workers

By Aaron Chiyanzo IN Chingola.

GOVERNMENT has threatened to outlaw outsourcing if it ever receives reports that companies involved are mistreating workers and abrogating contractual agreements.

And minister of Labour and Social Services, Joyce Nonde Simukoko has implored workers unions to fight for improved conditions of service for their members and not put that mandate on government.

Ms Simukoko said that she was disappointed with the performance of some labour unions, whose members were suffering and busy calling on government to intervene when they were there.

She explained that it was the job of unions to fight for improved conditions of service for their members and they paid for that service.

Ms Simukoko pointed out that government was supposed to be the mediator of last resort for both parties, the employers and employees.

The minister however warned during a recent meeting with KCM workers that government would not tolerate companies that mistreated workers, whether outsourced or not.

Ms Simukoko further warned that government would be forced to out law outsourcing if it continued receiving reports of employees being mistreated.

“In as much as outsourcing is progressive, the plight of workers should come first, they should be protected. I have information in my office of some companies that these people to which employees are outsourced, start mistreating them.  I’ll be going to cabinet to ensure that their licences are withdrawn. Secondly, if they don’t behave we will have no choice but to outlaw outsourcing,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms Simukoko called on labour inspectors across the country to intensify monitoring and give periodic reports how workers were being treated.

She explained that labour inspectors previously were faced with transport challenges but that now government had bought brand new vehicles.

Ms Simokoko assured that routine and unannounced checks on how workers were being treated would be intensified going forward.