Ensure that all workers in the country are well paid – Sata

President Michael Sata has directed Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda to ensure that all workers in the country are well paid.

The President says employers should not wait for their workers to go on strike for them to improve their conditions of service.

And President Sata has also explained that the wage freeze does only applied to Government workers and not the private sector.

President Sata said this when he graced this year’s Labour Day Celebrations in Lusaka on Thursday.

The President directed that there would be no speeches at this year’s commemorations to enable employers to go back and reflect on the welfare of their workers.

President Sata was flanked by First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda on the podium.

And Dr. Kaunda has thanked the President MICHAEL SATA for his good guidance of the nation.

Meanwhile, hundreds of workers from various sectors of the economy today turned up for a match past to observe the International Labour Day.

And Zambian workers have joined the international community in celebrating this year’s Labour day.

Celebrations have been held in various districts across the country.

This year’s labourday celebrations are being held under the theme “Zambia at 50, creating decent work and promoting social -economic justice for national development.”

Zambia Congress of Trade Unions-ZCTU- president Leonard Hikaumba says there is need to have decent jobs as Zambia turns 50 years this year.

Mr. Hikaumba has however, called for labour reforms to be undertaken quickly.

He says there is need to introduce laws that will provide for punitive measures against erring companies.

Mr Hikaumba was speaking in an interview with ZNBC news during commemorations for this year’s Labour day in Lusaka.

He notes many firms have gone scott free after flouting labour laws despite stern warning by government.

This year’s Labour Day was under the theme; “Zambia at 50; Creating Decent Work and Promotin Socio-Economic Justice for National Development.”