The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions, ZCTU, has indicated that it is not opposed to the salary increment of constitutional office holders, but was against the increment of constitutional office holders, but was against the increment of allowances by more than 100 per cent. Leonard Hikaumba, Zctu president, said the union was in support of the 15 per cent salary increment to constitutional office holders, because it was the same margin given to civil servants. ”The proposed increment on allowances should be withdrawn. We want the government to listen to us for fairness, equity and justice to prevail”. Hikaumba said.
He however, expressed surprise at claims being made by some government officials, that the allowances were newly introduced. When in actual fact they received the same allowances when in government.” This time thay saw nothing wrong in condemning them who were receiving tha money. They are now insisting that the allowances are new. This is where I challenge you the media to bring this to the fore. We Zambians should not allow people who have political interest to cheat us,” Hikaumba said.
He condemned people who accused the ZCTU of supporting the proposed salary and allowance increment, adding that it was unfortunate that some people already judged the ZCTU to be in support of the increase when the union had not stated its position.
”We were still consulting qand today we held a meeting where we resolved not to support the increment. As far as we are concerned ZCTU has never had a meeting to discuss this issue apart from the one we held today,’ hesaid.