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Zambian govt approves minimum wage review, conditions of service for low income earners

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The Zambian cabinet has approved a review of a statutory instrument on the review of the minimum wages and conditions of service for low income earners, including domestic workers, shop workers and employees covered under the General Order.

President Hakainde Hichilema had, on October 30, called on the cabinet during its meeting at the State House to deliberate on policy and legislative matters that would foster national development and improve the general livelihood of the people.

Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, who announced the review on Wednesday in a statement in Lusaka, said the initiative was adopted following the recommendation of the Tripartite Consultative Labour Council meeting at which government, trade unions and the representatives of employers agreed to review the existing minimum wages and conditions of employment.

“The proposed revision in minimum wages has been necessitated mainly due to the changes in the cost of living, the average national earnings, inflation, unemployment rate and capacity of employers to pay,” Mweetwa said.

He added that the revision of the minimum wages and conditions of service was in line with the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 131, the Minimum Wage Fixing Convention for Protection of Vulnerable Workers.

Mweetwa noted that the cabinet was of the view that the category of affected workers needed “some kind of relief to enable them meet their needs and support to their families” owing to the rising cost of living in the country.

Mweeta also said the cabinet had approved the issuance of the National Pension Scheme Penalty Waiver Regulations which is aimed to operationalise the provisions of the National Pension Scheme Amendment Act No. 20 of 2022 on the Penalty Waiver.

He said the Statutory Instrument on the penalty waiver was intended to reduce the debt burden for businesses and allow employers to clear their outstanding dues with NAPSA with the incentive that part of the debt would be written off.

“It will provide relief to businesses that were hard hit during the Covid-19 pandemic, encourage small-scale businesses including employers from the informal economy such as employers of domestic workers, to register their employees with the scheme without worrying about high penalties for non-payment of past contributions,” Mweetwa added.

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Zambia: President Hichilema urges traditional leaders to invoke rainmaking powers amid drought

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Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, has called on traditional leaders to call upon their rainmaking powers by praying for rain as the nation continues to face the menace of drought.

Hichilema, who made the plea while speaking during the Shikaumpa traditional ceremony of the Ila people in Namwala on Sunday, expressed hope for divine intervention and sufficient rains.

“We pray that this year, God will give us rains, sufficient rains, so we can grow more food, so we can take care of the things, the assets that we keep,” the President stated.

He noted that he was informed of certain chiefs known for their rainmaking abilities, including Senior Chief Mwamba of Northern Province, Chief Sailunga of North-Western Province and Mwami Monze from the Southern Province and urged them to use their powers to invoke rain, adding that the chiefs should continue their prayers for rain, believing that “God will hear our cry.”

The President also encouraged not only the chiefs but also the churches and the entire nation to join in prayers for rain.

“All of us, the churches, everybody, we must pray for rains so that we can take care of God’s people properly,” he said.

The head of state further urged farmers to intensify efforts at planting crops and maximizing their harvest for national food security once the rain comes.

The drought in Zambia in recent
seasons have left 84 districts severely impacted, leading to food shortages and a worsening electricity deficit due to low water levels.

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Tiinubu committed to easing hardship Nigerians are going through— Info Min, Idris

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Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has, once again, reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s dedication and commitment to easing the economic hardship of Nigerians as a result of the removal of fuel subsidies and other policies of the government.

Idris, who gave the assurance during a live radio programme on the Hausa service of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) titled, “Hannu Da Yawa,” said fuel subsidies primarily benefited a select few wealthy Nigerians to the detriment of the ordinary Nigerian masses.

The minister, however, emphasized that the Tinubu-led administration was working towards economic stability, even as the president had urged ministers to cut expenses by limiting official vehicles and personnel on assignments.

“President Tinubu is pointing out the need to change from the old ways of doing things in Nigeria,” Idris said.

He noted that the cost-saving measures, though seemingly small, are expected to make a significant impact.

He also stated that the recent renaming of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security reflects Tinubu’s commitment to addressing agricultural issues from multiple angles, particularly to improve food security.

On security, Idris said Tinubu’s administration has continued to acquire resources for security agencies and support personnel welfare, while consultations on establishing state police are ongoing.

Idris also urged Nigerians to responsibly use social media to portray the country positively, emphasizing collective responsibility in shaping Nigeria’s image.

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