• There is a serious realization around the district that a lot of security companies are abrogating the labour laws with impunity.
• More particular are issues around gratuity and leave days.
• There are so many workers who have served their contracts and have not been paid their gratuity.

Itezhi-tezhi Member of Parliament says his office and that of the District Commissioner have continued to receive reports of alleged abrogation of labour laws by security companies contracted by Zesco and Itezhi-Tezhi power cooperation.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Twaambo Mutinta said most complaints border on issues around gratuity and leave days, as there are so many workers who have served their contracts but have not been paid their gratuities.
Mr. Mutinta stated that to this effect, his office will now work closely with the District Commissioner’s office in order to restore sanity in the district.
“There is a serious realization around the district that a lot of companies, particularly security companies are abrogating the labour laws with impunity. The office of the MP and the office of the DC have continuously been receiving complaints on very clear terms of reference there, it’s clear that some of these companies are abrogating the labour laws.”
“More particular are issues around gratuity and leave days, there are so many workers who have served their contracts and have not been paid their gratuity and these companies are not communicating properly to their workers, so that there is an understanding,” Mr. Mutinta said.
He advised the youth to ensure that they fully understand the terms of employment before they get employed as casuals or permanent workers.
“More important I would like also to appeal to the young people because what we have realized is most of them sign contracts, they get into jobs whose terms of reference they do not understand. Every time a new investor comes, we want to see to it that the young people who are engaged understand the terms of reference from the word go, this is one way that will help us manage the labour tension that we are experiencing.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Mutinta called on companies who are coming on board to respect the labour laws and ensure that employment contracts are not abrogated in any way.
“Then also in the district we are also seeing a trend where companies are coming on board, they are engaging the youths without the protective materials. So basically our appeal to these companies that are coming on board, we want them to respect the rights of the workers and we want them to ensure that what is agreed is not abrogated in any way.’
“We are also asking them to see to it that we start engaging so that we help to manage the expectations of the young people who they employ. We are also trying to engage the Labour Commissioner to come in the district and help to educate the existing companies on the importance of adhering to labour laws,” he added.