Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
ZCTU Secretary General Cosmas Mukuka
The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has urged government to urgently resolve the confusion in some government departments where officers who were retired at 55 years have started coming back claiming their positions following the extension of the retirement age from 55 to 56 years.
ZCTU Secretary General Cosmas Mukuka in a statement to QFM News today says workers who were promoted following the retirement of people who had attained the age of 55 years, especially those in management position have been asked to revert back to their old positions a situation that has created confusion among workers.
Mr Mukuka says government should have provided for a transitional period during which such changes should have been effected because of the emotional feelings attached to such changes.
He says the ZCTU expects government to deal with the confusion created so that officers are not left depressed and unable to perform effectively.
Mr Mukuka says there is need for government to ensure the situation is resolved amicably.
He states that officers who were to retire in December 2014,January and February 2015 were written to by government and given three months notice but that in the process, a Statutory instrument extending the retirement age from 55 to 65 was signed by the government.
Mr Mukuka says the ZCTU appeals to government to seriously consider reducing the mandatory retirement age to 60 years instead of 65 years, while 55 years can be used as an optional age for those wishing to retire from service.