Govt releases money for former govt workers

—Government, through the Ministry of Finance, has released K27 million to pay former government workers who left employment voluntarily.

Voluntary Separatees Association of Zambia (VSAZ) General Secretary (GS) Sychoke Simemeza, confirmed the development to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Mr Simemeza said in an interview that the funds were released last week to pay 3,523 of his members.

In 1998, the Zambian Government embarked on and adopted a voluntary separation package scheme programme dubbed, ‘Economic Structural Adjustment Reform Programme (SAP)’ as part of streamlining its labour force that saw thousands of job losses in the country in parastatal, public and quasi state-owned privatised companies.

The MMD administration’s harsh economic package as a reform measure, which Second Republican President, the late Frederick Chiluba, at the helm transformed the nation was received with mixed feelings by most former workers.

Mr Simemeza, who was flanked by VSAZ Trustee, Shadreck Makulu and Committee Member, Joinet Sikalinda, commended government for paying their packages as the burden of former civil servant is now lighted.

He, however, complained that the former workers have been underpaid because the moneys are not enough as government still owes them a lot.

Meanwhile, Mr Simemeza has urged his members across the country not to listen to people going round undermining the David Mushota VSAZ-led executive by telling false stories against the association.

Mr Simemeza assured that the association is doing everything possible to resolve the matter.

The VSAZ GS stated that any leader found wanting going round and spreading false information against his Association risked being prosecuted.