By HOPE BWALYA –

THE Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has called on Government to rescind its decision on the withdrawal of salary grants to councils.
ZCTU Secretary General Cosmas Mukuka said the revised Local Government Act No.12 of 2014 had withdrawn the role of Government in the provision of grants to councils which was contained in Local Government Act No.6 of 2010.
Speaking at a Press briefing yesterday in Lusaka, Mr Mukuka complained that the withdrawal of the salary grant was an abrogation of the collective agreement signed between the Government and the Zambia United Local Authorities Workers Union (ZULAWU).
“It is unacceptable for Government to decide to amend the Local Government Act No.6 of 2010 which provided for the allocation of grants to district councils such as salary grant, fire services grant, grant in lieu of rates, restricting grant, water and sanitation grant and many other services,” he said.
The ZCTU Secretary General said the new development would adversely affect the delivery of services for the local authorities and further demotivate council workers which would result in low productivity.
Under the new law, the councils would have to meet the cost of salaries for employees which local authorities have no capacity to generate.
Mr Mukuka said because of the revised Act, most council workers would have to labour without salaries for long periods.
The withdrawal of the grants had worsened the situation as most councils were already behind in terms of payment of salaries and which would make it difficult for them to survive.
“Currently, some councils are already behind by about 30 months in paying salaries,” he said.
He appealed to President Edgar Lungu to quickly intervene in the matter.
He also urged the Government to quickly arrest the free fall of the Kwacha which was affecting the cost of living for most citizens.