— Hikaumba advises employees to join labour unions

The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) says employers should allow workers to join or form Trade Unions in the Country or face the wrath of the law.

ZCTU President Leonard Hikaumba says the union will insure that workers’ rights in the country are respected.

ZANIS reports that the ZCTU President  said this in a telephone interview  in Lusaka today.

He  said it is important that the employers met the standards required by the Labour Ministry or face punishment.

“It is imperative for workers to ensure their rights are not infringed by their employers”, Mr Hikaumba noted.

He further revealed that it is unfortunate that some workers in the country do not speak out on violations of their rights for fear of losing their jobs.

He was reacting to recent  media that some employers do not permit their workers to join or form trade unions.

The union President has since appealed to workers who are victimised by their employers to report such cases to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security in accordance with the Supreme Law of the Land.

He pointed out that exploitation of their rights will continue until such complaints are reported to the same ministry.

Efforts to get a comment from the Minister of Labour ,Fackson Shamenda proved futile by broadcast time.