PF has departed from pro-poor policy-ZCTU

MUZ president Chishimba Nkole

The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) says the recent hike in fuel prices by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) clearly shows that the PF government has departed from its pro-poor policy.

ZCTU President Nkole Chishimba says the fuel price hike will have a spiral effect on the workers across the country.

He adds that the decision to hike the price of fuel will also impact negatively on the living standards of the Zambian citizens who are already facing serious economic challenges to meet their everyday needs.

Mr Chishimba says it is sad to see how the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) rushes in increasing the price of fuel whenever there is a slight increase in the cost of crude oil, but never passes the benefits to consumers when the price reduces on the international market.

He has since called on government to be sensitive to the plight of the poor when sanctioning any increase in order to shield the people from the negative impact of such increases.

Mr Chishimba states that providers of goods and services will start increasing the cost of their services and blame it on the cost of fuel.

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