Workers Strike: Government media claims agreement has been reached but other reports dispute this

Government media June 9 and 10 has carried stories claiming the state and public service workers union representatives had agreed on a 15 percent salary and wage increment for civil servants. the reports appear to be disputed in private media reports which suggest the 15 percent offer has been rejected by the workers.

Chief Government spokesperson and information minister, Ronnie Shikapwasha, announced the agreement on the award of the salary increase in a statement issued in Lusaka June 9. Shikapwasha said the agreement was announced in Lusaka June 9 by public service workers’ union representatives and the Government negotiating team when they briefed Secretary to the Cabinet, Joshua Kanganja about the progress made so far.

“Government wishes to inform the public that considerable progress has been made towards finalising an agreement on the ongoing salary/wage negotiations for public service workers,” he said.

The minister said during the meeting, the bargaining unit also agreed to constitute a joint technical committee to deal with the outstanding issues of housing allowances. He said it was further agreed that the signing of all the collective agreements will be concluded by tomorrow.

“In view of this positive development, the Government is urging all public service workers to continue working normally,” he said. Public service workers in various parts of the country have gone on strike citing delayed negotiations for salary increases and payment of housing allowances.


And usaka Province Minister Lameck Mangani has appealed to striking civil servants to resume work. He made the appeal at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday.

“I visited the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and the situation on the ground is very bad because people are being turned away. Pupils at Munali secondary school also decided to demonstrate, which is very risky,’’ Mangani said.

Mangani accused some opposition political parties of inciting the striking civil servants. He charged that a group of people has been paid by some opposition political parties to go round the country and incite civil servants with the aim of tarnishing the image of President Banda. He was however quick to point out that there were some genuine concerns raised by the civil servants and that Government will address them.

“Political parties are expected to help resolve the problem and not to fuel it. They are undermining the authority of an elected Government,’’ Mangani said. He alleged that people who are being investigated for corrupt practices were inciting workers so that the attention can be diverted.

And Ministry of Health has clarified media reports that the health workers’ union has bargained for a 100 percent salary increase. Health spokesperson Reuben Mbewe said the report quoting Ministry of Health permanent secretary Velepi Mtonga is incorrect and misleading.