TAZARA workers strike

Over 3,000 unionised workers at the Tanzania Zambia Railway authority have gone on an indefinite strike due to non payment salaries for five months.
The workers have also blocked the movement of the newly introduced Zambia Railways Chambeshi passenger train from moving between new Kapiri Mposhi and Nakonde on the TAZARA railway line. Yesterday, ZR decided to refund the passengers who had bought tickets after it became apparent that the striking workers would not allow the train to move.
TAZARA workers union Afrika Mkandawire told ZANIS that the workers would not resume work until they are paid the salary arrears or be retrenched and be paid their dues instead of being kept without salaries for this lengthy time. Mkandawrire also challenged TAZARA MD Ronald Phiri to explain why TAZARA was no longer moving cargo between Kapiri Mposhi and Dar-es-Salaam
And as usual the Zambian government has failed to honor the promise made by transport and communications minister Yamfwa Mukanga that the workers would be paid the salaries by June month end.
Meanwhile sources have told the Watchdog that the government of the republic of Tanzania and the Zambian counterparts are considering concessioning the jointly owned railway company due to the unending financial problems.////////

Militias in Sudan demand for $1 million for a Zambian hostage

The Zambian Government says the terrorists holding a Zambian citizen hostage in Sudan’s Darfur region are demanding US$ 1 million.
Felix Ngoma a humanitarian worker for the International Organisation for Migration was abducted by the Janjaweed militia group in Darfur region on July 6, 2014 and his true condition remains unknown.
The Zambian government has been hiding this information until the Watchdog revealed it two days ago. Janjaweed is a pro-government militia, armed, funded and controlled by Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir to kill black, non-Muslim people in Darfur.
Foreign Affairs minister r Harry Kalaba however claimed that a hostage management team has been set up to negotiate with the gunmen who are demanding a ransom of 1 million dollars.
He told a media briefing that government is constantly in contact with the IOM Office in Lusaka adding that Mr. Ngoma who was abducted on 6th July 2014 is kept well and his release is likely.
“Mr Ngoma is said to have been on his way from IOM offices to his residence located 5 KM from IOM offices when he was intercepted. The gunmen contacted IOM office to inform them that they had abducted Mr Ngoma and demanded a ransom to be paid./////////////////////

Govt gives management at the times of Zambia 14 days to pay the workers
Acting Labour Minister Chishimba Kambwili has directed management at the state owned Times of Zambia to pay workers their three months salary arrears within two weeks.
Mr Kambwili who is also Sports and Youth Minister said it is totally unacceptable for a Government institution like the Times of Zambia to fail to pay its workers.
He told a media briefing that management at the Times of Zambia must find money to pay the workers within 14 days.
“I hereby issue a 14 day ulti8matum for management to source for funds to clear the three months salary arrears. I don’t care how they do it, all I want to see is that the Journalists at the Times are paid,” Mr Kambwili said.
Mr Kambwili added that failing to pay workers at a Government institution is highly embarrassing.
“You know my stance about labour issues and I don’t want to be party to a group that fails to pay its workers, this is unacceptable and embarrassing. I want the M.D and the HR Director to find money within 14 days to pay the workers.”
He said Government will not allow industrial unrest at Government institutions arising from failure to pay workers on time.
Mr Kambwili also issued a one month ultimatum to Lusaka City Council and other councils to pay the workers their salaries.
“I find it strange that a council like Mpulungu can pay workers on time and big councils like Lusaka City Council and Chipata Municipal Council are failing to pay their workers on time,” he said.
Unionised workers at the Times of Zambia have gone on a work stoppage after management failed to pay their salaries for three months.
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