Lawmakers condemn SI 63

OPPOSITION Members of Parliament (MPs) have condemned statutory instrument number 63 which allows the increase of retirement age from 55 to 65 saying aging workers and youths in need of employment have been inflicted with misery.
But acting leader of government business in the house, Yamfwa Mukanga, says Government would listen to concerns of various stakeholders on the increase of the retirement age.
Acting President Dr Guy Scott recently assented to the controversial SI 63 which allowed the increase of the retirement age from 55 to 65 years.
Debating the Public Service Management Division (PSMD) estimates of expenditure, Monze Central MP (UPND) Jack Mwiimbu said the move will bloat the civil service.
“This means there will be no recruitment because there will be a lot of civil servants who will not retire,” Mr Mwiimbu said.
And Senga Hill MP Kapembwa Simbao said the civil service was getting worse as the workers were not being trained to the levels they should be.
But Mr Mukanga said government was building an efficient civil service.
And presenting a ministerial statement on the judiciary, Minister of Justice Edgar Lungu said the government would increase staff in the judiciary to meet the increasing demand for services.
He said the government was also looking at technological improvements in the service by computerising the system.
But UPND Mazabuka Central MP Garry Nkombo proposed the construction of high courts in all provincial centres as a priority.

Zambia Daily Mail