Calls by the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) for government to introduce fixed interest rates for public service employees and provide social housing for them are unrealistic says a Lusaka based economic consultant, Chola Mukanga. Mr. Mukanga, said the demands by the ZCTU, in addition to the proposal for an increase in the minimum taxable threshold from K 3,000 to 4,000 citing a rise in the cost of living in uninformed. He said It seems the problem in Zambia is that those who are fearless in demanding things are usually the most intellectually bankrupt, calling them courageous or bold without brains; adding that those who are intellectually sound and know what must be done to move the country forward are living in fear for their lives, debating well but unwilling to challenge economic and social tyranny. Mr. Mukanga said while the need to improve the living of civil servants is justified, he questioned where the union mother body thinks government will get the resources to finance their demands. He further urged the ZCTU leadership to consult experts on economic matters before making certain demands. ZCTU General Secretary, Roy Mwaba was recently quoted in an online publication, Lusaka Times as having rejected the continued artificial suffering of public service workers that comes with the imposition of the wage freeze while the cost of living continues to rise. He further said In view of the escalating bank lending rates, government should introduce fixed interest rates for public service employees whose incomes have remained static in the face of increasing interest rates and high cost of living.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 08:41:29 +0000
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