Zambia obseves May Day
By Pelekelo Liswaniso
TODAY we join the rest of the nation in commemorating Labour Day which is an annual holiday celebrated all over the world to mark the economic and social achievements of workers.
It is a historical day as it provides for reflection on what the workers have achieved over the year and an opportunity for workers to take stock of their situation and plan ahead.
We are aware that this year’s celebration is being observed when the country is facing some of the most difficult times due to the adverse effects of the world-wide economic recession.
We agree it has been difficult for workers to make ends meet due to the high prices of food and the job losses especially in the mines.
This is however, not an opportunity for anybody especially opposition parties to politicise this year’s Labour Day celebrations.
There are reports that some political parties are planning to hold demonstrations over the job losses in the mines and this is uncalled for.
We appeal to such political parties to call off such demonstrations because the workers would not like to see their day being spoiled by politicians.
It would be unfortunate for politicians to hijack the day and use it to settle political scores by holding demonstrations.
We appeal to the workers and the public at large not to allow themselves to be used to fight personal and political battles by some disgruntled politicians who have no interest of the nation at heart.
We have said before that the current job losses in the mines and high prices cannot be blamed on the leadership of President Banda because they are as a result of circumstances beyond the control of the Zambian government.
Demonstrations over the job losses would therefore not solve the problem.
We appeal to those harbouring ideas to demonstrate to be level-headed and instead use the occasion to plan ahead and find solutions to the current economic problems.
We are all concerned about the plight of the workers who lost jobs in the mines and the government has engaged in talks with the various stakeholders to mitigate the effects of the global recession.
The problems affecting Zambia have also hit many other countries and there is no need to make political capital out of the global economic crunch.
The government, opposition parties, workers’ representatives and the workers themselves should instead put their heads together and help find solutions.
TODAY we join the rest of the nation in commemorating Labour Day which is an annual holiday celebrated all over the world to mark the economic and social achievements of workers.
It is a historical day as it provides for reflection on what the workers have achieved over the year and an opportunity for workers to take stock of their situation and plan ahead.
We are aware that this year’s celebration is being observed when the country is facing some of the most difficult times due to the adverse effects of the world-wide economic recession.
We agree it has been difficult for workers to make ends meet due to the high prices of food and the job losses especially in the mines.
This is however, not an opportunity for anybody especially opposition parties to politicise this year’s Labour Day celebrations.
There are reports that some political parties are planning to hold demonstrations over the job losses in the mines and this is uncalled for.
We appeal to such political parties to call off such demonstrations because the workers would not like to see their day being spoiled by politicians.
It would be unfortunate for politicians to hijack the day and use it to settle political scores by holding demonstrations.
We appeal to the workers and the public at large not to allow themselves to be used to fight personal and political battles by some disgruntled politicians who have no interest of the nation at heart.
We have said before that the current job losses in the mines and high prices cannot be blamed on the leadership of President Banda because they are as a result of circumstances beyond the control of the Zambian government.
Demonstrations over the job losses would therefore not solve the problem.
We appeal to those harbouring ideas to demonstrate to be level-headed and instead use the occasion to plan ahead and find solutions to the current economic problems.
We are all concerned about the plight of the workers who lost jobs in the mines and the government has engaged in talks with the various stakeholders to mitigate the effects of the global recession.
The problems affecting Zambia have also hit many other countries and there is no need to make political capital out of the global economic crunch.
The government, opposition parties, workers’ representatives and the workers themselves should instead put their heads together and help find solutions.
posted by aydpels @ 4:28 AM
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