Govt. will not approve collective bargaining not addressing workers’ interest-Shamenda.

Government says it will not will approve any collective bargaining which does not speak on the interest of the workers in the country.

Labour and Social Security Minister Fackson Shamenda said his ministry has since halted the signing of collective agreements from four companies for failure of addressing workers’ interest.

Mr Shamanda said government is allergic to employers who exploit their workers and warned that it will not give a blind eye to would be perpetrators.

He reaffirmed government’s commitment of remaining accommodative for any dialogue aimed at uplifting the dignity of the workers in the country.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Shamenda said this in Lusaka today when he officially opened a two bipartite meeting for the workers and employers on new labour laws.

Mr Shamenda has since urged the workers unions in the country to embrace a spirit of dialogue on Labour matters in order to enhance productivity among the workforce.

And Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Leonard Hikaumba called on workers unions in the country to strive at creating a consensus that will not result in unnecessary debates.

Earlier, Zambia Federation of Employees (ZFE) president Tyson Chitambo expressed concern over the recent resurfacing debates on the minimum wage despite the issue being adequately addressed.

Mr Chitambo further called on government and other stakeholders to put the issue of employment creation top on the national agenda.