Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has given government up to 31st December 2014 to lift the wage and employment freeze.
The Union has also demanded that government expedite and concludes the labour law reforms process in the first quarter of 2015.
Addressing a media briefing today, incoming ZCTU Secretary General Cosmas Mukuka says the demand was arrived at the just ended ZCTU 14th Quadrennial Congress held in Livingstone from 19th to 20th December 2014.
Mr. Mukuka says the union resolved to engage government and the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other social partners to ensure that the process of labour law reforms is concluded and new labour laws that will be consistent with the interests of workers be enacted.
He says the congress further resolved that the imposed wage freeze be lifted forthwith by 31st December, 2014 as it abrogates the right to free collective bargaining as enshrined in the Industrial and Labour Relations Act Cap 269 of the Laws of Zambia.
Mr Mukuka says the congress also demanded that government commences negotiations in order to review conditions of service for public service workers.
And outgoing ZCTU Secretary General Roy Mwaba says his team has left the office intact and urged the new team to create their legacy not forgetting building on the legacy left by his team.
Mr. Mwaba urged his successor that political parties will come and threaten the union but that they should stand firm and guard jealously by ensuring that the office of the Secretary General is not compromised.