President Lungu leads workers at Labour Day

President Edgar Lungu this morning in Lusaka led hundreds of workers to commemorate this year’s Labour Day which falls on the first of May annually.

The annual event which is also known as “May day or workers day” is being commemorated under the theme Promoting National Economic Growth through Job Creation, Free Collective Bargaining and Respect for Workers’ Rights’.

Speaking at the event that was earlier preceded by a match past of workers, Federation of Free Trade Unions (FFTUZ) President Chingati Msiska noted that the labour movement is concerned that out of the estimated 300, 000 youths that enter the Zambia’s labour market annually from the education system within and outside the country only 15, 000 manage to get formal employment.

Mr. Msiska says the concern of the unions of what becomes of rest of the youths that remain jobless.
Earlier International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Director Martin Clemensson called on the labour movement in the country to speaking with one voice.

Earlier International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Director Martin Clemensson called on the labour movement in the country to start speaking with one voice.

Mr. Clemensson has also stressed the importance of realizing that it is not the responsibility of the government alone to create the much needed jobs in the country.

Among the notable people that attended the commemoration include form president Rupiah Banda, Chief Justice Irene Chibesakunda, Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini and Cabinet Ministers.

Others are PF Secretary General Davis Chama, opposition ULP president Sakwiba Sikota and ZED president Frederick Mutesa.

By post time President Lungu who was the guest of honor at the event had been addressing workers.