• It is unfortunate that Chipata Council workers have not been paid their salaries for eight months now.
• Government must uphold workers’ rights which among them is a right to a fair wage.
• Civil servants have also individual obligation just like any other citizen at household

Action Aid Zambia says the non-payment of 8 months’ salary arrears to Chipata Council Workers is a violation of their rights.
Organization Country Director Nalucha Ziba told Money FM News in a statement that it is important for government to note that civil servants have also individual obligation just like any other citizen at household level that need to be fulfilled such as paying school fees, rentals and purchase of food among others, therefore it is difficult for them to meet their basic needs without a salary.
“The law under the Employment Code Act in S. 66 which states an employer shall pay the wages of an employee, in the case of a monthly contract of employment, each month, from the last day of payment; in the case of a fortnightly contract of employment from fortnight to fortnight, on the last day of each fortnight; in the case of a contract of employment from week to week, on the last day of each week; in the case of an employee employed for a task or piece work, on the completion of the task or piece work, except that where an employee is employed to do piece work, an employer may, with the consent of the employee, accumulate the wages due to the employee for the period not exceeding one month, as may be agreed by the parties; in the case of an employee employed to perform a journey, on the completion of the journey; or in any other case, in accordance with the terms of the contract of employment. An employee’s wages shall be paid at regular intervals as stipulated above not being later than the fifth day of the subsequent month.”
“ActionAid wish to remind the government that civil servants have also individual obligation just like any other citizen at household level that need to be fulfilled which include among others, pay school fees for their children, purchase food and pay rentals as well as tax to 2 the government,” Ms. Nalucha said.
Ms. Ziba stated that local government through the council plays a key role in national development, hence it is unfortunate that Chipata Council workers have not been paid their salaries for eight months now.
She however said that the organization recognizes the role of local government in revenue collection which has been weakened overtime due to non-actualization of the decentralization policy which minimizes the central government operations in structures such as markets, bus stops and other areas.
“In line with our country’s national values as espoused in our republican constitution, we call upon the government to uphold workers’ rights which among them is a right to a fair wage,” she stated.