Nurses’ wages worry Guy Scott

VICE-President Guy Scott yesterday told Parliament that Government is currently engaged in active negotiations with nurses and unions in order to resolve the impasse over disparities in salaries.
During the Vice-President’s question time, Dr Scott assured the nation that the matter would be resolved amicably.
He was responding to Kalabo Central member of Parliament Chinga Miyutu (UPND), who sought clarification on the impasse.
Mr Miyutu wanted to know what Government is doing about reports of strike action by nurses at Lusaka’s University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
“There are active negotiations right now between Government and 12 unions representing nurses and allied health workers,” Dr Scott said.
Meanwhile, a check by the Daily Mail at UTH yesterday revealed that operations are normal and hospital management has put in place measures to prevent the withdrawal of labour by nurses.
UTH managing director Lackson Kasonka said post-graduate student nurses have been mobilised to assist with operations.
“We have tutors and other nurses who are studying as specialised midwives and theatre nurses as back-up.
The situation is normal. We are a training institution. That’s the beauty of UTH,” Dr Kasonka said.
Dr Kasonka said what has transpired at UTH is not a matter of Government failing to honour its obligations but a matter between nurses and their unions.
And Dr Scott has also assured the nation that Government is determined to tackle corruption in all of its forms.
The Vice-President says Government wants to strengthen the Anti-Corruption Commission by funding it adequately.
“One basic way to fight corruption is to provide money to ACC and other investigative wings,” he said.
He was responding to concerns by Lubansenshi MP Patrick Mucheleka (Independent).
Mr Mucheleka wondered what practical steps Government has put in place to ensure that corruption is halted.
Dr Scott further told the House that Government is not aware of any corrupt ministers, otherwise it would have acted.
Dr Scott said this in response to Sikongo MP Mundia Ndalamei (MMD), who asked why Government has not fired ministers alleged to be corrupt.
Mr Ndalamei said PF is allergic to corruption and it is expected that the ruling party should fire anyone associated with graft.
Meanwhile, deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mkhondo Lungu has cautioned parliamentarians against debating through points of order.
Mr Lungu said some points of order are not in the domain of Parliament and are a waste of time.
“Points of order should be relevant to the decorum and procedure of this House. I am being put to the test and I will be hesitant to take