By Meluse Kapatamoyo
The Zambia Institute of Marketing (ZIM) has announced stern measures against unlicensed marketers working “illegally” in the country.
ZIM vice president for the northern region James Chiwala, said as mandated by law, his organisation through the ministry of labour and immigration department would ensure that all employees, including foreigners working in the country were scrutinised by the institute before work permits were issued.
Membership currently stands at 3,000 inclusive of all categories; fellows, full members, graduates, students and associates.
“But there are a lot more people currently practising marketing in small and medium enterprises. Others are in blue-chip organisations and in public institutions, but are not affiliated to the institute despite the law mandating all marketing professionals to be members or affiliates.”
ZIM intends to collaborate with employer groups such as the Zambia Federation of Employers, and the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management to ensure only paid up members were given jobs, “ZIM will enforce this through its membership wing and ensure that there is total compliance to the law which regulates the marketing profession in Zambia. It is worrying because many organisations are employing people who are not qualified to occupy marketing positions.”
Chiwala said in an interview with The Post newspaper, “This is a very clear indication that they are contravening the Act with impunity. The issue of ethical conduct and practice is very important if we are to eliminate fraudulent behaviour in both private and public entities ... In so doing, the institute shall go a long way in eliminating masqueraders whose aim is to tarnish the image of our professional body through unethical practices.”