An interesting time for labour - January 2012

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

The start of 2011 may have been characterised by minimal work-stoppages, but no one could have anticipated the level it would rise to when Michael Sata was elected president.

Prior to his election, Sata, a strong critic of foreign investment especially from China, had promised stern action against companies flouting labour laws. Soon after he was sworn into office, most workers across the country, especially those employed by foreign firms, downed tools demanding better pay and decent work conditions.

In a panic, some companies quickly adjusted wages and provided missing incentives such as transport allowances, while others called on government to calm the situation and provide room for negotiations. Eventually, government announced a ban against illegal work stoppages calling on workers to use legal means to address their grievances. The president also hosted Zambian-based Chinese business executives to discuss among other issues, the inhumane treatment of Zambian workers by some Chinese firms.

New retirement age

However, while government was commended for instilling some sanity in the labour sector, Sata’s directive to amend the Pensions Act to allow civil servants retire at the age of 65 instead of the current 55 years has not been embraced by all.

While some people agree with the presidents opinion that "some people have continued to show zeal even after reaching retirement age and deserve to continue working," other people feel the decision will rob young people of a chance to  find employment and also climb the ladder.

Those in support of the president insist that 55 was too early for one to retire as the organisations needed to benefit from the expertise of their employees, while some argue that at that age, looking at how long it takes for one to find a job, workers would not have made enough to sustain them once they retired. Those opposing the president also insist that retiring at 55 would enable retirees to channel their energies into other income generating ventures and also open the chance for young people to excel.

But it was former labour minister Austin Liato who sent shock waves in the labour sector when police discovered K2.1 billion buried at his house. Liato is currently appearing in a court of law.

Mining companies and the law

Just like in the past, flouting of labour laws in mining companies remains a challenge in the labour sector. A Human Rights Watch, in a paper entitled ‘You’ll be fired if you refuse’ authored by Matthew Wells revealed that Chinese-run copper mining companies in Zambia routinely flout labour laws and regulations aimed at protecting workers’ safety.

He said there were persistent abuses in the four Chinese run mines operating in the country, which are subsidiaries of China Non-Ferrous Metals Mining Corporation (CNMC). The report highlighted poor health and safety conditions, regular 12 hour or 18 hour shifts involving arduous labour with insufficient overtime, and anti-union activities which violated Zambia’s national laws and international labour standards.

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Find out more about Age Discrimination in Zambia.