. Hikaumba

By NAKUBIANA MUMBUNA
GOVERNMENT says it wants to work with a strong labour movement that has the capacity to regulate the labour market.
Labour Deputy Minister Rayford Mbulu said Government perceived trade unions as valuable institutions that could help regulate the labour markets by making effective interventions.
“It is the Government’s desire to help trade unions achieve their objectives while at the same time maintaining harmonious relations with Government and employers,” he said.
The deputy minister also implored trade unions to be efficient while ensuring that their bargaining did not impact negatively on inflation and employment in the country.
“The challenges facing the trade unions as an institution demands a new focus on the role of trade unions. You need to reflect, evaluate and adjust to a continuing process of maintaining your relevance,” he said.
Mr Mbulu said this in a speech read on his behalf by labour commissioner Cecilia Kamanga at the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and media strategy workshop.
The minister also called on trade unions in the country to strengthen their relationship with the media which he said could help raise awareness on the role of trade unions.
He, however, said it was important for the media to have sufficient knowledge about the operations and functions of trade unions for them to raise awareness on the role of trade unions.
“There is a lot of news taking place in the labour market but the media can only capture and report on these issues if they are well skilled in reporting on labour issues,” he said.
ZCTU president Leonard Hikaumba said the media was a powerful tool of disseminating information.
Mr Hikaumba also called on Government to expedite the review of the existing  labour laws.