RB TALKS TO TRADE UNION LEADERS

President Rupiah Banda on May 14 held two separate meetings with leaders from various trade unions representing the public workers and the Zambia Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) to discuss issues affecting workers. He held talks with seven trade union organisations from the pubic sector who briefed him on the status of negotiations between Government and the Unions.

President Banda informed union leaders that his leadership style involved engaging all stakeholders, including the trade unions, in national matters. He repeated his call for reconciliation in the nation in light of problems resulting from the Global Financial Meltdown. He thanked trade union leaders for embracing dialogue and urged other organizations to engage Government on various issues affecting the country.

“I have an open door policy. So I expect those with issues to come forward and discuss with us,” President Banda said.

And the ZCTU made a number of proposals to the President on some of the measures which need to be addressed in order to mitigate the effects of the Global Financial Meltdown. The meeting with the ZCTU also discussed wide-ranging issues that included the Tripartite Consultative Labour Council, the Labour Law reform Process and the Political Situation in the country.

The Trade Unions attendeding the meetings included the Zambia Congress Trade of Unions, Civil Servants and Allied Workers’ Union of Zambia, Zambia National Union of Teachers, Basic Education Teachers Union and the Secondary School Teachers Union. Others were the National Union of Public Workers, Health Workers Union of Zambia and the Agricultural, Technical and Professional Staff Union of Zambia.

The president will, next week, meet the Federation of Free Trade Unions in Zambia (FFTUZ)to continue consultations on issues affecting the nation.