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Vice President Guy Scott says government is committed to reforming the labour law in a bid to meet the workers aspirations.
Dr. Scott says government has finalized consultation on the areas of labour laws that require amendment and will soon implement it in line with the input of stakeholders.
The Vice President was speaking when he officiated at the Labour Day commemorations in Kitwe on Thursday.
Dr. Scott says government has launched the second Zambian decent work country programme which will strength fundamental principles and protect the rights of workers.
And Zambia Congress of Trade Unions- ZCTU-Representative Betty Mutambo bemoaned the high cost of living.
Meanwhile, Zambia Federation of Employers ZFE representative Stephen Sikombe says his organization will not negotiate withy union demanding unrealistic salary increment and conditions of service.
And the Zambia Congress of Trade Union -ZCTU- has condemned political parties that have shunned the Labour Day Celebrations.
And government says it remains committed to uplifting the welfare of workers in the country.
Justice Minister, Wynter Kabimba says this is why government is working hard to improve workers’ conditions of service while creating more jobs.
Mr Kabimba was speaking when he officiated at the Labour Day Celebrations in Kasama District on Thursday.
He also says government will only review the wage freeze when the economy improves.
Mr. Kabimba says the introduction of the Wage Freeze should not be misunderstood as it was done in good faith.
Meanwhile ZCTU Secretary General, Roy Mwaba says those shunning labour day celebrations do not appreciate workers’ efforts in the country.
Mr Mwaba however, appealed to government to lift the wage freeze saying it is against labour laws and international practice.
And Agriculture Deputy Minister Greyford Monde says thousands of women and youths have been liberated from poverty through government’s deliberate policy of encouraging people to venture into agriculture.
Mr Monde says through the Fertilizer Input Support Programme -FISP and the Citizen’s Economic Empowerment Commission -CEEC Funds, government has deliberately helped women and youths to be empowered and move out of poverty.
He adds that women and youths are an integral part of government’s development agenda.
Paul Shalala reports from the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa that Mr Monde said this when he appeared on a panel discussion at the on-going Joint Conference of Ministers of Agriculture which is taking place at the African Union Headquarters.
Mr Monde says the Zambian government has also come up with a deliberate policy that encourages college graduates to venture into agriculture at a tender age.
The two day Joint Conference of Ministers of Agriculture, Rural Development, Fisheries and Aquaculture which opened this morning, has attracted ministers from all African countries.
Mr Monde is representing the Zambia government together with Local Government Deputy Minister Nicholas Banda.
And Zambia Congress of Trade Union ZCTU says workers are highly expecting the outcome as Government start negotiations for better Conditions of Service.
ZCTU representative Ronald Habeenzu said this during his speech at the commemoration of this year’s Labour Day celebration in Lukulu District of Western Province.
Mr. Habeenzu says workers should be remembered for their sacrifice they have endured saying May Day is celebrated not only for its historical significance but also a time to organize around issues of vital importance to all working class.
He adds that as the Government of Zambia review Labour laws, it is also important that pronouncements from Government on reforming the pension scheme and revising the retirement age be dealt with.
Mr. Habeenzu has also called on Government to fulfill its promise to deliver a new constitution to the people of Zambia saying the document is a framework for Government.
Meanwhile Lukulu District Commissioner Precious Muyenga says Government requires more time to prepare the document in a well scrutinized dimension to come up with a good constitution that will stand the taste of time for the people of Zambia.
Ms. Muyenga says the National Constitution is not the same as a Manifesto of a Political Party saying the document will be released when it will be ready.
And Ms. Muyenga says after a careful assessment on the retirement age, Government suggested that retirement age be shifted to 65 instead of 55.
She said it was a good move because at 55 people were still energetic and able to contribute efficiently and effectively to the national development of the country.
The DC has since urged workers to work side by side with their employers for the purpose of industrial harmony in the work environment.
More than 100 workers both from Lukulu and Mitete Districts of Western Province commemorated this year’s Labour Day under the theme Zambia at 50 creating descent work and promoting Socio- Economic Justice for National Development.
