Ministry of Labour Permanent Secretary Zachariah Luhanga says government remains committed to protecting the rights and welfare of drivers and other workers in the transport sector.
Mr Luhanga was speaking during the Transport Sector Stakeholders Consultative Meeting, which brought together government, employers’ and workers’ organisations to discuss pertinent matters affecting the sector.
The Permanent Secretary says drivers play a vital role in Zambia’s growth and development, linking production to consumption and helping deliver goods, support businesses, transport workers, and enable families to access education, healthcare and other essential services.
Mr Luhanga says it is for that reason that the transport sector services were included among essential services under the Industrial and Labour Relations Act, Cap 269 of the Laws of Zambia, a move he described as significant because it places responsibility on both employers and employees to ensure the uninterrupted provision of the service to the public.
He says declaring transport services essential means employers must treat employees in a manner that promotes continuous delivery of the service, while employees and their representatives are expected to resolve labour disputes promptly through established legal and dispute-resolution mechanisms, rather than allowing disruptions that could affect the public.
Mr. Luhanga has clarified that the essential service designation extends beyond drivers to everyone involved in the transportation, supply, distribution and delivery of petroleum products, including workers across the entire supply chain, from loading and transportation to fuel stations and distribution points.
He says any unnecessary interruption to the movement and supply of petroleum products can have serious consequences for the economy and for citizens who depend on these services, and urged all stakeholders to recognise their responsibility to maintain continuous supply while addressing labour issues quickly and fairly.
He says government is encouraged by the spirit of dialogue at the meeting, and has expressed hope that concerns raised regarding subsistence allowances will be resolved through consensus-based approaches that consider the interests of both workers and employers.
By Mutinta Hamusankwa
