Fri, 30 Jun 2017 10:46:27 +0000
By JACK MAPAPAYI
SOLWEZI Municipal Council casual workers have gone on strike, demanding their four months’ unpaid salaries.
Some workers talked to on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, told the Daily Nation that life had become difficult as they were unable to afford basic needs.
The workers complained that management has been chasing them whenever they asked for their money.
“We have been working for four months now without salaries, so how do they expect us to survive? And the worst part is they don’t want to address us,” one of the workers said.
Another worker accused management and the union of being selfish, adding that they were being threatened with dismissal for asking to be paid.
“Our union is compromised and selfish because they are supposed to speak on our behalf. As for management, it is very unfortunate that they are only looking at their pockets without considering us as well,’’ the worker said.
They said the attitude was denting the image of the Government which they blamed for allegedly not releasing funds when that was not the correct situation.
The workers have since vowed not to return to work until they are paid all their four months’ salary arrears.
But when contacted for a comment, council Town Clerk Seke Mbulo said the council did not have enough funds to pay the workers following the creation of Kalumbila district.
Mr Mbulo said it had become difficult for the local authority to raise funds because the council only relied on Kansanshi mine for the collection of property rates.
“And going forward, we need to prioritise our expenditure if we are to operate within our means,” Mr Mbulo said.
The town clerk however could not specify when the workers would be paid but only promised to pay them as soon resources became available.
