Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Labour and Social Security Minister Fackson Shamenda
Labour and Social Security Minister Fackson Shamenda says government wants all employees to be put on Permanent and pensionable conditions as a way of curbing casualization in the country.
Mr. Shamenda says very soon and in this session of parliament, his Ministry will be presenting an amendment bill to the Employment Act Cap 268 of the Laws of Zambia to curb the vice of casualization and termination of contracts without giving reasons.
Mr. Shamenda says Zambia ratified the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 158 on unjustified dismissals and unfair termination of contracts, but that Zambia has not domesticated it.
He says Zambia is finally domesticating this convention once the Amendment bill is passed in parliament.
Speaking during the Kagem Mining signing ceremony of US$345,000 worth of scholarships for students to study mining at the University of Zambia (UNZA) and Copperbelt University (CBU) in Lusaka last evening, Mr. Shamenda says Kagem has further reinforced its commitment with the signing of the MoU with Saturnia Regna Pension Trust.
He says the MoU is in no way a replacement or substitute for NAPSA but is rather an additional initiative that the Organization has taken to provide for the future welfare of its employees.
Mr. Shamenda says government is in the process of reforming the pension schemes in the country with a three tier system where the first and second tiers will be mandatory.
He explains that the first tier will be a national Pension scheme for all workers which will include all employees in the country, including those in the informal sector the second tier, also mandatory, will cater for occupational or in house pension schemes like the one launched while the third one will remain voluntary.
Speaking at the same event, Mines Minister Christopher Yaluma congratulated the mine and its employees on achieving more than 3.5 million injury-free shifts, and has emphasised the need to remain alert about safety in the workplace at all times.
Mr. Yaluma says what makes Kagem succeed in the way they have cultured their workforce in the mine is their workforce attuned to the safety standards.
He says this is something that is entrenched and retained.
Speaking on behalf of both universities, UNZA Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr Mick Mwala says this partnership will not only create graduates, but also scientists, leaders and innovators saying the scholarship will take into consideration the vulnerable; there are excellent students who may not have the means.