Workers, goats share garage

Saturday, May 21, 2011

 
From ALEX NJOVU in Chingola
 
DEPUTY Minister of Labour and Social Security Simon Kachimba yesterday rebuked a Chingola-based foreign investor for allowing his workers to share sleeping space with goats.
The workers sleep in a garage which the investor also uses to keep goats.
Mr Kachimba said when he inspected Wang-Kong Company Limited that it is inhuman for the firm to allow its workers to sleep in a garage that also houses goats.
“I am giving you up to Monday to move these people out of the garage. Give them money so that they can go and rent good houses in the townships,” Mr Kachimba said.
He said Government appreciates the contribution investors are making to economic growth, but it is important for them to respect human rights.
He also said it is unbelievable that the investor is paying his workers a monthly salary of less than K350,000.
The visibly annoyed Mr Kachimba urged management to move the workers from the garage and give them better salaries to secure alternative accommodation.
“Let us have respect for workers, without workers there can be no production. Government recognises the role workers play in national development. It is important for our partners, investors, to do the same by giving them good conditions of service,” Mr Kachimba said.
He said Government supports progressive investors who are adding value to the economy.
Mr Kachimba also toured the National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) housing complex in Kalulushi.
He called on Zambians to ignore disgruntled politicians who are criticising the developmental projects Government and its partners are undertaking.
Mr Kachimba said it is unfortunate that some people have politicised the developmental projects NAPSA is undertaking countrywide.
He said President Banda and his administration will not be derailed from implementing viable projects which are positively impacting on the lives of Zambians.
He is happy that the Kalulushi NAPSA housing project is progressing well, but advised the contractor, Yangts Jiang Enterprises, to provide workers with protective clothing.
He also advised the workers against stealing protective clothing from the company.