Posted Oct 16, 2009
Namwala Oct 16/09 ZANIS - Over 70 casual workers constructing the Nieko Technical Girls High School in Namwala district have downed tools demanding better conditions of service.
And government has expressed worry that the development would delay the completion of the project whose timeframe is about two years.
The workers, mostly drawn from the same vicinity in Chief Nalubamba’s area, stopped work at the site on Wednesday, demanding the daily wage of K10, 000 to be increased to an unspecified amount.
A check by ZANIS in the company of district education authorities at the construction site yesterday found only about 10 permanent workers were found mounding bricks.
Speaking to ZANIS in an interview, one of the permanent workers, Bruce Shimuza, said the casual workers have also puzzled the contractor as they have not specified how much they want.
When contacted for a comment, African Brothers Cooperation Projects Manager, Wang Rong, said the casual workers had agreed the terms and conditions of service before they started work barely three months ago and wondered how they could demand an increase now.
“I do not really understand how these casual workers can down tools when we are paying them K270, 000 as per standard labour procedure for casual workers,” said Mr Rong through an interpreter.
The project manager also complained over lack of serious commitment among the casual workers towards work.
Mr Rong said the company might consider employing casual workers from other places if the local people continue with their poor attitude towards work.
And District Education Board secretary, Munamukuni Shandele, expressed concern over the impasse which he said might delay the completion of the school project worth K32 billion.
Mr Shandele called on the casual workers to bear in mind that the completion of the school project would be for their own benefit, and urged them to return to work.