DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 22nd October, 2014

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

________

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

ZAMBIA’S REVISED FOREIGN POLICY

The Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Kalaba): Mr Speaker, on Friday, 17th October, 2014, I had the rare privilege of hosting former Ministers of Foreign Affairs, former Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Zambia and distinguished citizens from all walks of life at Charter House to witness the launch of Zambia’s Revised Foreign Policy under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kalaba: Mr Speaker, the Revised Foreign Policy is intended to provide guidance on Zambia’s interaction and co-operation with the international community, both at bilateral and multilateral levels and will advance economic diplomacy in the pursuit of Zambia’s national interests abroad. The Revised Foreign Policy document builds on the previous Foreign Policy, published in 1996, which was the first formal document that projected Zambia’s Foreign Policy since Independence in 1964. The revision is in keeping with international practice and driven by this Government’s desire to ensure that the country remains actively seized and fully engaged in the international community. This resolve and determination is reflected in the Government’s policy vision on international relations which reads:

“For Zambia to be an effective and influential player on the regional and international arena; maximizing the benefits that accrue to the country from being a member of the international community.”

Mr Speaker, under the Patriotic Front (PF) Administration, Zambia has projected a forward-looking and pragmatic Foreign Policy aimed at facilitating trade, attracting foreign investment and projecting Zambia as a stable and peaceful country. In this regard, Zambia will advance economic diplomacy and pursue a Foreign Policy based on the principles of mutuality of common interest and respect. I wish to emphasise that national interest will be at the core of our Foreign Policy agenda. 

Mr Speaker, since the launch of the first formal Foreign Policy in 1996, a number of significant developments have taken place at domestic, regional and international levels that have justified the revision of the First Foreign Policy Document. These include the shift from political diplomacy to economic diplomacy; globalisation; the global financial crisis; persistent regional conflicts; Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome HIV/AIDS; the on-going United Nations (UN) Reforms; and the proliferation of strategic partnerships. Above all, the coming into power of the PF in September, 2011, necessitated the alignment of the Foreign Policy with the vision of the new Administration in order to meet and respond to the aspirations of the many Zambians that voted in more numbers than this country has ever witnessed in order to bring about a new political dispensation that appeals to the core of their desires.

Mr Speaker, it is in the spirit of meeting the expectations of the Zambian people that the Patriotic Front Government expedited the process of revising the Foreign Policy, and by the same spirit that I present it to this august House. First and foremost, our responsibility is to the people of Zambia, irrespective of political affiliation. The policy document is a product of extensive and broad-based consultations. Its proper implementation will ensure that our country is able to effectively respond to the changing global environment at different levels while maximising the benefits for its people. 

Sir, allow me to highlight some of the major differences between the 1996 Foreign Policy and the revised Foreign Policy document of 2014. Apart from not having a stated vision for the Foreign Policy, the 1996 Foreign Policy document does not fully respond to the growing aspirations of the Zambian people and the shift in the political and socio-economic orientation of the country. The revised policy has a clearly-stated vision and includes an expanded set of values and principles such as gender equity and equality; good governance; accountability and transparency; non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries; free and fair elections; common but differentiated responsibility; and a just and fair world order.

Sir, in the same vein, the Revised Foreign Policy is specific and relatively exhaustive in highlighting policy objectives that are deliberately and carefully set out to contribute to the development priorities of the country. These objectives include, among others, the promotion of trade and investment as key engines for economic growth; the promotion of Zambia for foreign direct investment (FDI), and as a preferred tourist destination; the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of Zambian citizens abroad as well as the encouragement of Zambians in the Diaspora to participate in the economic development of the country. 

Mr Speaker, the Revised Foreign Policy also places emphasis on Zambia’s continued engagement in the evolving peace and security architecture both at regional and continental levels and beyond in order to respond to the persistent prevalence of conflicts, trans-boundary crimes, diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Ebola which are among the many challenges humanity faces today. In view of this, the policy states that Zambia will play a proactive role and strive to acquire positions in regional and international organisations such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the African Union (AU) and the UN.

Mr Speaker, as a manifestation of our on-going engagement at the international level, Zambia is currently chair of the group of landlocked developing countries (LDCs). Recently, the country sent troops to the peace-keeping efforts in the Central African Republic. This is a clear indication of our commitment to ensuring that the country continues to play its part in the management and preservation of peace and security on the continent and beyond. 

Mr Speaker as the ministry directly responsible for international affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been repeatedly confronted with the negative effects of conflict and instability in the course of its duty. It is for this reason that I wish to make a passionate appeal to this august House and the entire nation to guard this special peace-loving nature jealously and exercise tolerance with one another in a spirit of harmony and camaraderie. 

The absence of peace and stability can cause untold misery and should be avoided by all means. Let us cherish the spirit of oneness that we have enjoyed in the last fifty years and celebrate God’s favour of continued peace, unity, democracy, patriotism and prosperity.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I wish to take this opportunity to pay special tribute to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, for his exceptional leadership and guidance and, in particular, for according me the opportunity to serve as Foreign Affairs Minister at a time when the country is ushering in the Revised Foreign Policy.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the statement issued by the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Rev. Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha (Keembe): Mr Speaker, the Revised Foreign Policy seems to be moving away from political diplomacy. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister how we are going to divorce political diplomacy from the other areas.

Secondly, Sir, I would like to put it on record that I have been recognised by His Honour the Vice-President as one of the heroes that were left out. I received an invitation for the function on Saturday.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Rev. Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha: Mr Speaker, I also want to put it on record that I was not invited by the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs for this function as former Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Mr Kalaba: Mr Speaker, firstly, I want to tender my deepest regrets for not inviting such a distinguished son of this country. He should have been among the people who attended the launch at Charter House. 

Sir, political diplomacy and economic diplomacy will move in tandem except that the country will now focus more on economic diplomacy because Zambia is no longer at the epicentre of assisting neighbouring countries in the liberation struggle. We are now moving towards trading with other countries and seeing what prospects Zambia can extrapolate from its relations with other countries.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Konga (Chavuma): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that in the Revised Foreign Policy, national interest will be at the fore of the policy. Does this mean that the Government will now send trained and experienced diplomats to foreign missions unlike what the situation is at the moment where we have cadres and relatives of Government officials in the missions?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kalaba: Mr Speaker, I have asked my office to distribute the Revised Foreign Policy document by tomorrow. I would, therefore, invite hon. Members to get acquainted with the document which is placing emphasis on having a Career Diplomatic Service, and the Patriotic Front Government has been very consistent in that regard. It is for this reason that this policy has been launched to emphasise what we are already working on as the Government.

I thank you, Sir.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, in view of the shift in emphasis from political diplomacy to economic diplomacy, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the training for would-be diplomats would be revised so that the policy is speedily implemented.

Mr Kalaba: Mr Speaker, as a ministry, we are now introducing the position of trade attachés in all our missions abroad so that we can have someone speaking on matters of trade. The Zambia Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies (ZIDIS) also offers courses in economic diplomacy so that diplomats are well acquainted with the country’s interest.

Thank you, Sir.

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that he is going to distribute a document on the Revised Foreign Policy. In this era of transparency, can he also distribute a list of all the ambassadors and high commissioners in our missions?

Mr Kalaba: Mr Speaker, as Foreign Affairs Minister, my job is tied to policy. Issues of who is serving in which mission and what portfolio he/she holds, is a preserve of the Cabinet Office.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what strategies have been put in place in the Revised Foreign Policy to ensure that those who are in the Diaspora contribute more to national development. We know that in countries like Rwanda, for instance, their contribution to national development has been very high.

Mr Kalaba: Mr Speaker, my ministry is currently working on the Diaspora Policy. The Patriotic Front Government has recognised the importance of having a vibrant Diaspora. We know that once the Diaspora is galvanised, it shall be able to contribute significantly to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). I shall soon come back to this House with the Diaspora Policy.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Kaingu (Mwandi): Mr Speaker, I also want to put it on record that I am an unsung hero.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu: I am the one who designed the national soccer scarf.

Laughter

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister be explicit with what he meant by saying that the country will focus more on economic policy because, all along, I have been thinking that Zambia has been focusing on both political and economic policies.

Mr Kalaba: Mr Speaker, this country has many unsung heroes, and I am sure he is one of them.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kalaba: Mr Speaker, it is an historic fact that nothing was written on the country’s Foreign Policy until 1996 when the then … 

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Let us have order on the right.

Mr Kalaba: … Foreign Affairs Minister, General Christon Tembo, if my memory serves me right, came up with the 1996 Foreign Policy. In that policy, emphasis was placed mainly on the country’s political emancipation, especially regarding countries within the sub-region that had not yet attained their independence. Now that all the countries in the region have been liberated, and Zambia has been celebrated in the role that it played in the liberation struggles, we have realised that while political diplomacy should move in tandem with economic diplomacy, we should also see how Zambia can benefit more from our relationships with Saudi Arabia, Angola and Malawi, for instance. We need to look at the prospects in those countries in order to contribute to their economic growth as well as ours. So, those are the issues that we will be looking at now. The document will be distributed for all hon. Members to go through and, if there will be anything that needs clarification, I will be here to attend to it.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for that good statement. With the new policy that has been launched, does the Government have any plans to open new embassies or foreign offices in the near future?

Mr Kalaba: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank Hon. Mbewe for that question. We shall look at our needs, as a country, before opening new missions. Missions are not opened for the sake of it. Recently, we opened missions in Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Israel. Those missions are enough for now. When the need to open more missions arises, the Government will see how best to go about it. For now, the missions that we have are sufficient.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwale (Chipangali): Mr Speaker, considering the new roles that most of the diplomats will be taking up, that is, roles that require professionals, does the ministry have plans of bringing names of candidates to take up the positions of diplomats for ratification by a Committee of Parliament?

Mr Kalaba: Mr Speaker, for as long as the law says so, we shall table the names before Parliament but, if the law does not say so, then, the Executive will continue carrying out that function on behalf of the citizenry.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

___________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

DAM CONSTRUCTION IN KATETE

199. Mr Phiri (Mkaika) asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development how many dams were earmarked for construction in Katete District in 2014.

The Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Zulu): Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development, through the Department of Water Affairs, had not earmarked any dam for construction in Katete District in 2014.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Phiri: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Deputy Minister aware that dams in all the eight wards in Mkaika Constituency are completely dry and that if this situation continues, animals in the area will die?

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, we are not aware that all the dams in Mkaika Parliamentary Constituency are dry. Since the hon. Member has brought that to our attention, we shall make a follow up.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Hamududu (Bweengwa): Mr Speaker, is it not high time we had a work plan for rolling out the construction of earth dams in areas like Mkaika, Bweengwa and the others that are prone to drought?

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, we already have a plan for the construction of dams. The hon. Member for Mkaika together with the communities and local leadership need to identify places where dams should be constructed and take that information to the district that will, in turn, report to the province and the province will report to the ministry. From there, we shall come up with a plan for the constituency. As far as the ministry is concerned, the plan is to construct ten dams in each province. So, it is up to the hon. Members to inform us where they require dams.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr W. Banda (Milanzi): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the Government has any plans to rehabilitate the existing dams in Katete District, particularly in Milanzi Parliamentary Constituency.

The Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Yaluma): Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to rehabilitate as well as construct new dams in the provinces. However, the onus is on the people in those areas to prioritise the areas that require dams. That is because those dams will be competing for the same resource which is, quite insufficient. However, we will look at how much in need those areas are, and then we shall also go through the priorities and rank them. Thereafter, we shall execute as the need may be.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chipungu (Rufunsa): Mr Speaker, out of the ten dams that the Government plans to construct in each province, are there any that are designated for Mkaika? If so, how many?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, that is why I said that the onus is on you, hon. Members, to ensure that you lobby sufficiently so that your requirements are prioritised.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, the issue of dams is of concern to some of us because it is a source of livelihood for many communities. Having heard from the hon. Minister that the Government is planning to construct ten dams in each province, I would like to find out if the Government has any programme of work and inventory of existing dams such as the four in Mkaika that are dry and need to be rehabilitated. One such dam I can make reference to, and which the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) has lamentably failed to rehabilitate, is at Mugoto, which I have been singing about for two years now. Do you have a plan to rehabilitate the existing dams before you embark on constructing the ten dams per province? If you do, could you, please, show us a workable plan on how you intend to do that.

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, there is a plan to rehabilitate dams. However, a good number of dams across the country that are due for rehabilitation are just as good as the ones being constructed. They, too, need to be ranked and prioritised. We shall use a prioritising matrix to identify which dams need to be worked on first. I have not come across the dam that Hon. Nkombo has just mentioned. I am hearing about it for the first time. So, I will take note of that and give him feedback.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Habeenzu (Chikankata): Mr Speaker, ten dams per province is not enough. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has got money for dam construction which is lying in various departments. Is it not possible for the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development to liaise with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock so as to increase the number of dams to be constructed per province?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, yes, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock constructs and maintains dams. However, the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development also constructs dams. Collaboration with our sister ministry with regard to dam construction is welcome so that money is spared for other uses. We work hand in hand when we have both identified the same place in which  to put up a dam.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Mr Speaker, what is the standard size of a dam?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, there are a lot of factors that determine the size of a dam. Firstly, we look at what the dam will be used for. A farmer who wants a dam to be constructed has to specify the requirements and submit them for approval before the dam is constructed. There are rules which guide us to ensure that the dam someone is asking for is in conformity with the law. That is why we come in to guide those constructing dams to ensure that, for example, the dams do not put pressure on the discharge load of a river. Therefore, I cannot say what the exact volume of a dam should be because they vary depending on use.

Thank you, Sir.

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, it is not the first time we are hearing about a dam drying up. Are there mechanisms in place to monitor the existing dams so that corrective measures are taken before a dam dries up?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, we have instruments to monitor the water levels in dams and rivers. We can tell when the water level in a dam is going down and can tell that we will have a problem with electricity generation or irrigation for a given area. So, monitoring the water level is a feature which happens on each dam and river. 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Kaingu (Mwandi): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister speaks so well. He is not sarcastic, but I am just wondering when he is going to attend to the problems in Mwandi. He knows that there is no place in this country that is as arid as Mwandi. I have engaged him on several times, but he does not seem to be taking any action. When is he going to construct dams in Mwandi Constituency?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, I would like to be as humble as I can possibly be since he has just said that I am very humble. I am going to do exactly what we have been discussing everyday. Hon. Dr Kaingu’s area is on our priority list. Like I have said, myself and him will be accompanied by a team of experts to assess the situation in his area. So, we are taking this issue seriously.

I thank you very much, Sir.

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister’s response to the question by Hon. Kaingu gives me very little hope. I have looked at the programme which the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development has released. This programme does not give any hope because in the quantity column for the number of dams to be constructed in the Western Province, there is nil. This means that no dam will be constructed in the province. I would like to find out how different the Western Province is from any other province in Zambia that it should not deserve a dam.

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, the Western Province, just like any other province, deserves dams. However, this can only happen if the people in that province initiate the process. So, if Hon. Miyutu does not submit the needs for his area, it will take time for us to go there and conduct the feasibility studies to ascertain whether a dam is needed in the area.

I thank you, Sir.

PEDICLE ROAD PROJECT

200. Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)    whether the tarring of the Pedicle Road was on schedule;

(b)    if it was not, what had caused the delay;

(c)    what the time frame for completing the project was; and

(d)    whether the contractor had the capacity to complete the project on time.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Mwimba H. Malama): Mr Speaker, the project for upgrading the Pedicle Road to bituminous standard is behind schedule by ten months. However, the contractor has subcontracted some works on the project so as to catch up with lost time.

Sir, the project delays can be attributed to lack of available sources of aggregates in the project area, that is, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The contractor has had to source aggregate materials from as far as Chambeshi and Ndola. Initially, the project should have been completed in twenty-four months, but this has since been increased to thirty-one months.

The project commenced in December, 2012, and was initially scheduled to be completed by December, 2014. However, it has since been extended to July, 2015. The justification for the extension of the time is as mentioned above. The contractor has the capacity to complete the works on time. This is evident from the fact that the contractor has adequate equipment and personnel.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, who is the contractor for this project?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the contractor is Copperfield Mining Services Zambia Ltd.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, how much was the contract sum for this project and, from that amount, how much has been paid and what is outstanding, if that is not the cause of the delay?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Sir, the contract sum is K278,000,800. We do not have information on how much has been paid so far, but we know that the contractor is getting payment as planned.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, part of the Pedicle Road is in Zambia and the other part is in a foreign country, and yet we are investing over US$40 million in the road project. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister how much, in monetary terms, the other country has contributed towards this project and whether there is a proper agreement that has been made to make sure that, in future, somebody will not close the border and deny Zambia the benefit from that huge investment?

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, in terms of contribution to this project, firstly, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has contributed land. Whenever there are projects of this kind, there are always Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) which are signed before the actual commencement of project. It is not just this Government that has implemented a project on this road. The Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government constructed the Levy Mwanawasa Bridge on the same road. There will be nothing of that sort to worry about. I believe that you should be more than comforted that this is a viable project for the benefit of the people of Zambia.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

_____

MOTIONS

LIFTING OF WAGE FREEZE

Mr Mweetwa (Choma Central): Mr Speaker, in view of the rising cost of living and the challenges of poverty that the majority of the people in general and the public service workers, in particular, are experiencing in Zambia, this House urges the Government to lift the wage freeze.

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, let me begin by expressing my profound appreciation to you for allowing me to move this Private Member’s Motion which hinges on the survival and welfare of many Zambians. 

Sir, the House will recall that during the presentation of the 2014 National Budget in 2013, the Minister of Finance, Hon. Alexander Chikwanda, MP, announced a two-year wage freeze for all public service workers, arguing that this will provide sufficient fiscal space for the provision of basic social services and investment in public infrastructure, and to reduce the proposition of revenue spent on the public service wage bill.

It is, however, my well-considered view that the Government considers lifting the two-year wage freeze owing to the adverse effects it has had on the people of Zambia in general, and the public service workers, in particular. Sir, I am compelled to move this Motion not only in solidarity with the public service workers in Zambia, but also as a messenger and voice for those that we are here to represent.

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Sir, may I say that it is with a deep sense of sadness that I bring this Motion on the Floor of this House at the advent of the commemoration of Zambia’s fifty years of Independence. I say so in light of the theme of the 2015 Budget Address which states, “Celebrating Our Golden Jubilee as One Zambia One Nation by Making Economic Independence a Reality for All”. In my view, it is a romantic, and yet shrewd, brutal and disrespectful way of insulting the public service workers. This is because you are seemingly proclaiming economic independence on one hand and, on the other hand, you are making it practically unrealistic and unrealisable in the face of this monster called the wage freeze.

Therefore, what is there for the workers to celebrate about in line with your Budget theme in the context of economic independence? Sir, even the once popular, but now detested slogan of, “More money in people’s pockets”, stands diametrically opposed to the wage freeze.

Mr Speaker, while on the issue of economic independence, may I also ask the Patriotic Front (PF) Government to halt the irresponsible and unsustainable borrowing. Learning from the country’s history of debt management, in the long run, the cost of debt and financing deficits is usually borne by the poor and the disadvantaged through reductions in allocations to the social sectors and the imposition of such drastic and draconian stop-gap measures as the wage freeze.

Sir, I wish to highlight the importance of wages in any economy and the inherent negative effects they have once they are mishandled. Wages act as guide posts in a market economy, informing labour market participants on which jobs to take, when to take the jobs or when to switch jobs. The role of wages is to quickly and smoothly facilitate the allocation of labour inputs to their most productive and efficient use. From a micro-economic stand point, wages play a crucial role in that they link and integrate labour markets with other markets. In this regard, wages influence such micro fundamentals as full employment, price stability, budget deficits and a country’s competitiveness in trade.

Mr Speaker, the complex relationship between wages and productivity cannot be over emphasised. For example, high productivity can give rise to high wages and vice versa. Wages form an important component of family income, thereby playing a fundamental role in the distribution of income and reduction of poverty in a country. In this regard, falling labour earnings have the potential to brood a host of problems such as growing inequality, social exclusion, a rise in crime and, in particular, precipitating increased prevalence of corruption within the red tape of government bureaucracies. 

Sir, we are all aware that suppression and oppression of workers and taking their labour for granted has the potential to promote social and political instability in a country. It is clear, for example, that low remuneration in the Public Service is a major factor contributing to the problem …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Let us have some order, please.

Mr Mweetwa: … of poor productivity, motivation, recruitment and retention of workers. Other things being equal, the benefits of increased labour earnings are higher levels of economic growth; poverty reduction through the demonstration effect of income redistribution on the downward spiral to family members who are not directly in formal employment and greater equity. 

Therefore, the Government should realise that many of the problems associated with the poor quality of public goods and services in Zambia are related to the low level of remuneration and lack of an appropriate incentive regime. As pay and incentive problems have persisted for a long time, they have given rise to demoralisation; low work performance and commitment to work among public workers; and reinforcement of low capacity in service delivery and production of strategic government outputs. If the wage freeze is not lifted, this is likely to reach unbearable proportions. 

Additionally, Sir, wages play an important role in successfully selecting, designing and implementing policies that are aimed at raising national income; achieving an equitable distribution of resources and reducing poverty. 

Mr Speaker, wages are also one channel through which major internal and external shocks are transmitted to the economy or its population. An assessment of the effects of such shocks on the economy and the population at large can best be understood by, inter alia, analysing developments in the wage system. 

Mr Speaker, the collapse of real wages inevitably changes the labour market landscape by giving rise to non-standard activities, as workers try to cushion themselves against rapid and deep wage declines. If the wage freeze is not lifted, the Government will fail to realise its pro-poor programmes of poverty reduction and its assumption of more money in people’s pockets. 

Mr Speaker, from the foregoing, it is clear that there is a strong relationship between wages and economic development and the cost of living of a people. With this in mind, it does not make economic sense for the Government to declare a wage freeze in a country where close to 60 per cent of employees are civil servants and in a free economy where the Government has no control over prices.

Mr Speaker, the Government should realise that, as the biggest employer in Zambia, the two-year wage freeze imposed on its workers will not only set a bad precedente for the private sector, but also have devastating spill-over effects on the whole economy. For example, the decreased levels of income and purchasing power associated with the wage freeze has added to the already adverse effects people are experiencing as a result of the abrupt removal of subsidies on fuel and maize in 2013. Where are the savings the Government said it was going to make as a result of the removal of subsidies?

Mr Speaker, it is clear that this situation resulted in a sharp increase in the cost of living, meaning that the prices of commodities, from kalembula to kapenta, mealie meal and other food stuff, went up. Similarly, the upward adjustment of the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) tariffs has invariably affected the manufacturers’ cost of production and has ultimately transferred the increased cost to the consumers who, at household level, are also paying high electricity tariffs. These effects, among others, include the rise in the cost of fuel and, ultimately, transportation.

Similarly, Mr Speaker, research has shown that, in general, wages in Zambia are insufficient to provide for basic living. The working poverty rate, which indicates the proportion of employed persons who live in a household below the poverty datum line, based on the Food-Energy Intake (FEI), has shown that the majority of Zambians in regular employment remain in relative poverty due to low salaries. The situation will worsen with the wage freeze in effect, against the backdrop of the depreciation and devaluation of the kwacha.

Sir, the imposition of a wage freeze has been compounded by the fluctuation of the kwacha in the first and second quarters of 2014. This has exerted continuous pressure on the cost of energy, electricity and fuel which will, in due course, translate into a soaring cost of living. The volatility of the Zambian Kwacha against major trading currencies on the foreign exchange market has caused apprehension among the citizenry.

Mr Speaker, the Patriotic Front Government should realise that it is poor governance which is fuelling speculative behaviour on the kwacha. Speculation and predatory behaviour thrives on randomised economic decisions that lack predictability. The general conduct of the key political actors in public affairs, in this case, the Executive, is to blame for the rapid fall in the value of the kwacha in the short term.

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Clearly, the Government has serious challenges in reconciling fiscal and monetary policies. The drive to borrow resources for sustainable development is having a resultant effect of shrinking the fiscal space. Therefore, resorting to the wage freeze is not the solution.

Mr Speaker, in view of the foregoing, the Government should also rethink its decision on the wage and employment freeze imposed on public workers, especially when the Government has channeled a lot of resources to unbudgeted and unplanned for activities.

Sir, we have a Government that is busy creating districts at will and initiating unnecessary by-elections only to declare a wage freeze on Public Service workers. This does not make sense in light of the persistently increasing cost of living stemming mainly from unmet macro-economic indicators.

For example, Mr Speaker, the overall fiscal deficit was pegged at 4.3 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in the 2013 National Budget, but projected to be as high as 8.5 per cent by October 2013. Over the last three years, the Government has failed to direct development efforts at increasing the long-term coping capabilities of the majority of households to access basic needs such as food, clean water, health and shelter.

Mr Speaker, it is rather a misnomer to note that the Government is failing to sponsor many students who qualified to the university of Zambia and other institutions of higher learning through the Bursary Scheme and is asking parents to shoulder the burden of meeting the fees when most of them are either civil servants on whom the wage freeze has been imposed, are farmers who have not been paid by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) or retirees such as the hundreds or thousands who retired from the University of Zambia (UNZA) and there is no immediate plan to pay them off, and yet the Government is maintaining a bloated and unproductive Cabinet.

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: The Government is maintaining a tax system that makes civil servants pay more tax than the mines and is creating districts without providing requisite infrastructure. The Government is putting consumption-based expenditures ahead of investment. We have also seen that the immediate beneficiaries of such moves are political cadres appointed as District Commissioners (DCs). This scenario is reason enough for calls on the Executive to be magnanimous and consider lifting the wage freeze.

Mr Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of the Government the fact that economic growth and poverty reduction cannot be sustained and reduced by mere increases in budgetary allocations as the hon. Minister of Finance has been doing in the last three years. Instead, resources must ultimately be dispensed to prioritise sectors for the desired results to be achieved.

Mr Nkombo: Add some life.

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, the country is at crossroads as regards poverty reduction and faces numerous developmental challenges which require significant financial resources to be channeled to desired areas.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, the dark side of this is that the Budget is financed more from resources acquired through debt. Such resources should go to high-yielding projects if the country is to manage to settle the debt and avoid unnecessary debt accumulation.

Mr Speaker, it is politically easy to proclaim a wage freeze for public sector workers but, in reality, the savings obtained by imposing the wage freeze are a drop in the ocean compared to the amounts of debt that is acquired without proper planning only to be shouldered by the same civil servants who have to meet the brunt of the wage freeze. 

In this regard, Mr Speaker, I urge the Government to immediately lift the wage freeze to guarantee the welfare of the Public Service workers and the spiral benefits therein.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I would like to state that I am mindful of the fact that a wage freeze is acceptable in trying to save public resources by limiting the public wage bill. However, this should be imposed on condition that the Government becomes prudent and utilises public resources in a manner that is beneficial to all.

Mr Hamusonde: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, the wage freeze should not be imposed if the Government is advancing the argument that the public wage bill is going up when, at individual level, it is the people in the Government who are benefiting from the huge public wage bill. When you make some calculations to find out who is benefiting more from the huge wage bill, you will find that it is the bloated Cabinet which has three hon. Ministers in one ministry driving expensive vehicles, …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: … using public phones, …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: … public funds to buy airtime, …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: … eating food and drinking water bought …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: … with public funds.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, the only thing which they get for free, and that is not funded by the taxpayer, is air.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, look at their wastefulness when it comes to by-elections. Three days ago, the Secretary-General of the Ruling Party …

Mr Hamusonde: Hammer!

Mr Mweetwa: … travelled to the Western Province accompanied by many people who were abusing taxpayers’ money. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Eeh!

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, they were driving Government vehicles to go and recruit councillors who defected from the Opposition, creating by-elections. They offered positions to members of the Opposition and they managed to get the weak souls over to the other side. They poached members from the Opposition …

Mr Hamusonde: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: … and offered them Deputy Ministerial positions. Hon. Deputy Ministers have not proved to be worth spending the taxpayers’ money on.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, His Honour the Vice-President flew in three or four helicopters using Government funds to go and attend the by-elections. Then, when they think of saving money, they only think of punishing the workers. They do not look at the huge sums of money that they are wasting. That is the argument that the civil servants are advancing out there. We are only asking to have the wage freeze lifted, and not asking the Government to increase salaries for civil servants so that they can go and buy vehicles. All that the civil servants are saying is that a year or two ago, the Government increased their salaries, but that nominal increase in salaries has been worthless because of the depreciation of the kwacha, and the rise in the cost of living. Some people do not understand these issues, and yet they are simple. All that we are asking is for the wage freeze to be lifted so that civil servants can feel that their work is being appreciated through better pay.

Mr Speaker, now is the time for hon. Members to stand up and be counted by supporting this noble Motion. Let us all be on the right side of this argument and on the right side of history by supporting to uplift the welfare of people in general, and the Public Service workers in particular. I sincerely urge all the gallant men and women of valour gathered in this Assembly, which is an epitome of people’s hopes, to be magnanimous for once and do what is right for the people. Let us rise above board and consider lifting the wage freeze.

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, this is not my Motion; it is not a Motion for the United Party for National Development (UPND); …

Hon. Government Members: It is!

Mr Mweetwa: … it is not a Motion for the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD). This is a Motion for the workers of this country who we are gathered here to represent.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, with these words, I beg to move.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Does the seconder wish to speak now or later?

Mr Mbulakulima: Now, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! 

Mr Speaker: Order!

Can we have order at the far end.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I thank you. I wish to second the Motion that the Government immediately lifts the wage freeze imposed on the Zambian workers in 2014. In supporting this Motion, let me assure my distant cousin, the Member of Parliament for Sinda, Hon. Levy Ngoma, that he should not worry about his cousin with regard to constituency work. When you look at me, you can tell that I am firmly in control of my constituency.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, when Zambia wins a match by a score of 8-0, no one wants to know who scored the goals. The people only want to know the player who scores when Zambia wins by a score of 1-0.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, you can tell who the only hon. Member of Parliament from that province is.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I would like to assure you that what makes the difference is education. Education plays a key role in what we do and say. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbulakulima: Therefore, you can tell from what we do here.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, as I second this Motion, I wish to refer to the official position of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) on the 2014 Budget which was presented in October, 2013. I make this reference because, clearly, the 2015 Budget, which was recently delivered, was deliberately silent on the issue of the wage freeze. We were made to believe that it was not going to continue until there was a leakage of the Budget. The current Budget remains mute on the subject. However, the effect of the wage freeze is the same, as it is a continuation of the decision taken by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government in 2014. I repeat that this was a decision taken by the PF Government, and not just the hon. Minister of Finance.

Sir, It is now very clear that the Patriotic Front Government, under the leadership of President Michael Chilufya Sata, in imposing a two-year wage freeze, has denied the workers of Zambia more money in their pockets. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbulakulima: The official position for the MMD on the salary/wage moratorium and deferment of recruitment to 2015, as propounded by Hon. Simbao yesterday, which still remains relevant today, is:

“Among the most attractive promises of the PF to the general electorate was the promise to create five million formal sector jobs in five years. This was revised downwards by the hon. Minister of Finance to one million formal sector jobs in five years. 

“In addition, they were promised more money in the pockets in ninety days. The attraction to the PF of millions of unemployed youths and thousands of formal sector wage earners is attributable to the two promises. Their hope was that poverty levels in the country would be reduced. Although no specific target has been set in the Budget towards the reduction of poverty levels, we, as the MMD, recognise that some effort has been made towards increasing the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) threshold and adjusting the wages for Public Service workers. 

“However, this has been done in such a manner as giving with the one hand and taking away with the other. This has brought about cosmetic change that will not last long. 

“Although the hon. Minister made a number of propositions in the 2014 Budget Speech, the most potent one is in paragraph 89 that reads: 

‘In order to provide sufficient fiscal space for the provision of basic social services and investment in public infrastructure and reduce the proportion of our revenues spent on the Public Service wage bill, which is projected at 52. 5 per cent in 2014, I propose a two-year public sector salary/wage moratorium and to defer new recruitment to 2015.’”

Mr Speaker, if this is the case, it means that all the apparent savings in wages and salaries were made in the first two Budgets of 2012 and 2013, and then withdrawn in the following two Budgets of 2014 and 2015. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbulakulima: Due to the fact that the first two Budgets up-scaled domestic borrowing and reduced the capacity to generate domestic revenues, the wage freeze in the following two years will not affect the price increment in transport, energy or housing. Instead, the expectation of greater disposable income as a result of the much publicised wage adjustment in the last two years will cause a general increase in the cost of food items and other related household commodities.

The anticipation of a massive wage adjustment in 2016 due to the two-year wage freeze and the need to please the electorate during an election year will add pressure to this inflationary trend. These upward price pressures over the next twenty-four months will outweigh whatever gains may have been made in the last two financial years. This is a classic case of giving with the one hand and taking away with the other. 

Laughter 

Mr Mbulakulima: These are the dangers the country faces when leaders become less truthful with the electorate regarding what is achievable in the short term and fail to explain the opportunity cost and choices available at a given time in respect to the available resource envelope. The end result is a situation like the one exemplified by a well-known Zambian proverb which states, “When giving someone a goat as a gift, do not refuse to let go of the leash”. 

Mr Speaker, the MMD Government made a similar decision in 2003 in preparation for the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative Completion Point. The trade union movement took the MMD Government to court and the case was decided in its favour. The argument of the trade unions was that the unilateral decision by the Government to impose a wage freeze was contrary to the principle of free collective bargaining established world over. In other words, this wage freeze is illegal and we cannot accept illegality anymore. We, therefore, demand for the lifting of the wage freeze. 

The implication of the wage freeze, in light of the fact that subsidies of fuel and maize were removed the other year; and the inflation rate has been increasing, and had reached 8 per cent at one point this year, means that the wages for every worker have been eroded by the economic environment. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbulakulima: Instead of having more money in their pockets, people have less money in their pockets. Instead of the Government reducing poverty and carrying out its so-called pro-poor policy, it appears to the workers that the policy is in fact pro-rich and anti worker. 

Laughter 

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, we urge the Government to lift the wage freeze and engage the unions in collective bargaining as a way of protecting the fiscal regime. If the Government engages with the unions, the wage adjustment will be incremental on a yearly basis. Anyone who has studied economics will agree with this statement. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbulakulima: Therefore, this will be adequately budgeted for. If this does not happen, our fear is that the Government will be tempted to offer a large wage adjustment in an election year as an election inducement. If this were to happen, it would end up disturbing the fiscal regime and forcing the Government to either borrow internally or over-run the country with more external debt. This is simple and basic economics. A smooth passage towards wage bargaining will save the country from making unattainable promises in next year’s Budget. 

Interruptions

Mr Mbulakulima: Let me read this again: A smooth passage towards wage bargaining will save the country from making unattainable promises in next year’s Budget. We do not want the PF Government to create problems for the new Government in 2016. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Livune: The United Party for National Development (UPND) Government. 

Mr Mbulakulima: It is a known fact that the PF is a one-term Government. 

Mr Livune: That is right.

Laughter 

Mr Mbulakulima: This adjustment should not be allowed. 

Mr Speaker, I would like to conclude …

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Mbulakulima: … so that I leave enough time for my colleagues to debate this important Motion. After all, the able mover of this Motion has properly articulated the reason I am standing on the Floor of this House. 

In conclusion, one great philosopher described democracy as a Government of the people by the people and for the people. If that, too, is the PF’s position, then time has come for them to walk the talk. The message across this great country, Zambia, today, be it among non- governmental organisations (NGOs), trade unions, student movements, church bodies, political parties, except the PF of course, is the same. That is, lift the wage freeze. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbulakulima: This is the message. 

In order to avoid a looming industrial unrest which, obviously, will be counter-productive to our fragile economy, it is prudent that the Government lifts the wage freeze and allows unions to proceed with the collective bargaining process. 

In anticipation, we reject the political maneuvers to award abnormal salary increments in 2016 all in the name of political expediency, …

Hon. Government Member: Question!

Mr Mbulakulima: … as this will damage the economy further and inflict more misery on the already impoverished Zambians. 

Mr Speaker, as this Motion comes barely a few hours before our Independence Golden Jubilee, I believe there can be no better gift to the Zambian workers than the Patriotic Front Government supporting this Motion. Anything short of that is a clear injustice to the workers of this country. This is a non-controversial and harmless Motion. It is for that reason that I do not anticipate any acrimony, whatsoever, more so that the Zambian workers are listening attentively to this Motion. 

I, therefore, humbly second this Motion.

I thank you, Sir. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to pay glowing tribute to the mover of the Motion, Hon. Mweetwa, and the seconder of the Motion, Hon. Mbulakulima.

Sir, I am a bearer of a message from the workers of the three arms of the Government ...

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: … who are the workers of Parliament, the Judiciary and the Civil Service.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: They have asked me, as a responsible and caring Member of Parliament, … 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Mwiimbu: … to raise these issues on their behalf.

Mr Speaker, we are all aware that Zambia is a party to international conventions such as the International Labour Conventions whose resolutions are binding. On several occasions, we have been reminded by my colleagues on your right that their Government is not of men, but of laws. If they are a Government of laws, they are going to listen attentively to the issues I am going to raise which hinge on the laws of this country and the conventions that they are party to.

Sir, the issue of a wage freeze is not novel. In 1998, the Civil Servants Union of Zambia (CSUZ) contested the issue of a wage freeze in the Industrial Relations Court of the Republic of Zambia. The civil servants and other public workers won the case against the Government. The aggrieved Government decided to appeal to the Supreme Court, … 

Hon. Opposition Member: Eba lawyer, aba.

Mr Mwiimbu: … but the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Industrial Relations Court.

Mr Livune: Chief Justice.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, for those who may not be aware, I will bring out the issues that were raised and that were the subject of adjudication in both the Industrial Relations and Supreme courts. 

Sir, in the Industrial Relations Court, the issues that were requested for adjudication, inter alia, were:

(a)    whether the Board of Conciliation, constituted in terms of Section 76 of the Industrial and Labour Relations Act to resolve the collective dispute on the freeze over judgment of wages and salaries in the Public Service for the duration of 1998, between the Government of the Republic of Zambia on the one hand and the Civil Servants Union of Zambia and National Union of Public Service Workers on the other, declared on 14th April, 1998, had found no common ground to resolve the dispute; and 

(b)    whether the dispute on adjustment of wages and salaries announced by the hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development on 30th January, 1998, in his National Budget Address delivered to the National Assembly is not in conflict with Section 69(1) of the Industrial and Labour Relations Act. 

Mr Speaker, the Industrial Relations Court passed judgment and stated that the Government of the Republic of Zambia breached its own laws and international conventions this country has ratified, which are binding, in total disregard of the rights of the affected workers. The issues at hand are ‘on all fours’ with those existing in 1998.

Sir, when the Government got aggrieved by this discussion, it appealed to the Supreme Court and, for the benefit our colleagues that do not know, the Judgment of the court was read by no other than the current Chief Justice, Hon. Chibesakunda.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Nkombo interrupted.

Mr Mwiimbu: Hon. Chibesakunda and the Judges of the Supreme Court agreed with the Industrial Relations Court that the Government of the Republic of Zambia breached the laws of this country …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: ... and the international conventions that it had ratified.

Mr Livune: That is right. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: They do not read.

Laughter 

Mr Mwiimbu: As a result of that decision, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government adhered to the judgment after losing the appeal.

Dr Kaingu: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, as if that were not enough, the workers of this country went to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva in 1999. In Report No. 318, …

Mr Mufalali: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: … ILO ruled that:

“In future, the Committee expects that the Government will follow an adequate consultation process when it seeks to alter bargaining structures in which it acts actually or indirectly as employer.”

Sir, ILO stated that the Committee regrets that the Government did not give priority to collective bargaining as a means of determining the employment conditions of its public workers. Rather, it felt compelled unilaterally as is the case now, without consulting the trade unions concerned and ensuring adequate safeguards to protect the standards of living of the workers. It went ahead with the wage freeze, and history is now repeating itself. There is no deviation whatsoever from what the MMD did at the time.

Mr Mufalali: It is ‘on all fours’.

Mr Mwiimbu: Sir, it is ‘on all fours’. Therefore, no matter how good this wage freeze may appear to the Government, it is illegal under the laws of this country and the conventions of ILO. 

Mr Munkombwe: Kwamana we!

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I also want to state that when we are in the Government, we are not only supposed to protect the interests of the Executive, but also those whom we are ruling and serving. In this case, the Executive is not looking at the interests of the workers. Instead, they are looking at the interests of those who are in the Government at the moment. The Government has an obligation to meet the workers and discuss this issue if they wanted to resolve the matter. There is an argument that the workers were given more than 200 per cent salary increment. That is not true. Records show that only the lowest paid public workers were awarded the 200 per cent salary increment. The majority of the workers got as low as 1 per cent salary increment under the Patriotic Front (PF) Government. 

Sir, we are also aware that more than 500 nurses were dismissed …

Mr Sing’ombe: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: … because they were short-changed by the Government. They were assured of the 200 per cent salary increment, but were given less than 20 per cent and some of them 4 per cent. It is not right for those who are in the Government to say that all the Public Service workers were given more than 200 per cent salary increment. We are also aware that from the time that the Government gave that so-called salary increment, the kwacha has been melting like butter in the Kalahari Desert against the United Stated Dollar, …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: … affecting the buying power of workers.

Mr Speaker, last week, the rate of the kwacha to the United Stated Dollar was K6.20 and, today, it is K6.50. The cost of living has continued going up. What justification do you have to say that the workers of this country are living comfortably? It is not true. Why should the workers of Zambia suffer at the expense of your financial arrogance? So far, the Government has induced more than fifteen councillors to resign from the Opposition in the last three weeks.

Interruptions

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, that means that we are going to have fifteen by-elections. The expenditure on five by-elections is equivalent to that of one parliamentary election. The cost is colossal. We are failing to find money for workers but find it easy to fund by-elections which are deliberately caused. This is unfair …

Hon. Opposition Members: Shame!

Mr Mwiimbu: … and it should not be supported. 

Mr Mbewe: Ba Kapeya, sure!

Mr Speaker: Order! 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, they were informed that this is illegal through the papers and through some of us who were in their meeting, but they still want to be arrogant. 

Mr Speaker, I would like to ask my colleagues on your right to search their consciences and reflect on the promises they made to the Zambian workers in 2011. They promised them mountains, but the workers have got molehills. The day of reckoning is coming. I call upon the workers of Zambia in the Judiciary, Legislature and the Executive arms of Government to take note of the outcome of today’s debate on the Motion pertaining to the lifting of the wage freeze. The workers should note that the Government is not on their side. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwenya: Question!

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I am aware that those who are saying, “Question!” are not coming back to this House after the next elections.

Mr Speaker: No, they are entitled to saying, “Question!” You also say, “Question!” on the other side.  It is a parliamentary practice and you know it very well.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, thank you for your guidance. It is also a parliamentary fact that when somebody says, “Question!” you respond, and that is what I am doing.

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, the day of reckoning is coming.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order! 

Let the hon. Member conclude.

Mr Mwiimbu: Sir, I know they have the arrogance of numbers, but I can tell them that the workers are not working this afternoon. They are listening to this debate and they will listen to what they are going to say. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Sir, all those who are against this Motion, please, stand up and oppose it so that we lose collectively because that is what you want. The workers will judge you on that day. I call upon the workers to note that there will be no need for them to celebrate on Friday. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr Mwiimbu: There is nothing for the workers to celebrate unless they want to celebrate misery and torture by the Government. With those few remarks, allow me to lay Judgment No. 145/1999 and the ruling of the International Labour Organisation Council on the Table. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu laid the paper on the Table. 

Mr Mwila (Chipili): Mr Speaker, thank you for allowing me to debate this Motion which has been presented by our colleague, the hon. Member for Choma and seconded by the hon. Member for Chembe. So far, three hon. Members of Parliament have debated this Motion. The hon. Member for Chembe said that this Motion is not controversial, but I think it is. 

Mr Mwale: Question!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, this Motion is controversial …

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Mr Mwila: … in the sense that none of the three debaters has talked about what is happening in the Public Service in terms of negotiations.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Ms Kalima: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, it is important to mention that because one hon. Member of Parliament appealed to the Government to allow the unions to bargain. This means that the Opposition does not have information on what is happening on the ground.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: They do not have facts.

Mr Mushanga: They are debating from without.

Mr Mpundu: And they are quiet now. Help them.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, under the Industrial Relations Act Cap 269 of the Laws of Zambia, …

Mr Ng’onga: Hammer, chairman labour.
! 

Mr Mwila: … the employee has the right to organise and belong to a union of his choice.

Hon. Government Backbenchers: Yes!

Mr Mwila: Once he belongs to a union, he has to be represented. In this case, it is not the Government that represents the employees, but the unions.

Hon. Government Members: Yes!

Mr Mushanga: They have now become unions.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, in 2013, the Government entered into a collective agreement with the nineteen unions.

Mr Mpundu: Tabaishiba.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Can we allow the hon. Member to debate in silence.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the agreement ran from January to December, 2013. I am talking about the process which is under the Act that Hon. Jack Mwiimbu mentioned. That is, Cap 269 of the Laws of Zambia. The collective agreement came to an end in December, 2013. The procedure is that the union has to write to management to start fresh discussions on the new collective agreement. The nineteen unions have been discussing with the Government.

Dr Kaingu: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Yes, I have the facts.

Mr Speaker, according to the procedure, once the negotiations come to end, the agreement has to be renewed. So, there was an agreement to extend the collective agreement for another six months up to July, 2014, under the Act which Hon. Jack Mwiimbu referred to.

Mr Speaker, the unions have been discussing, and the information on the ground is that they have declared a dispute. Once they declare a dispute, they have to find a way of resolving that dispute. That is how negotiations are conducted.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamudulu: Tell us.

Mr Mushanga: Chairman, labour.

Mr Ng’onga: Tell them.

Mr Speaker: Order, order!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, once a dispute has been declared, there are three options for resolving it. It is either a conciliator is brought in, the matter is taken to the Industrial Relations Court …

Ms Kalima: They are not doing anything.

Mr Mwila: … or they go for arbitration.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Kasenengwa.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: She does not understand this, Mr Speaker.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Refer that to me.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the two unions opted for …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[MR DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, when business was suspended, I was saying that when a dispute is declared, there are three ways to resolve it. The parties can go to the Industrial Relations Court, …

Mr Ng’onga: Ninshi bachita abantu?

Laughter

Mr Mwila: … go for arbitration or conciliation.

Mr Speaker, in this case, the nineteen unions opted for conciliation. If my colleagues on your left do not have the information, it was Dr Kanganja who chaired the meeting.

Mr Mushanga: The former Secretary to the Cabinet.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, our colleagues on your left do not mean well by bringing the Motion to this House.

Mr Mushanga: They have gone.

Mr Mpundu: The seconder is not here.

Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the union is the only body which has the right to negotiate with the employer.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, hon. Opposition Members who have debated before me raised the issue of the high cost of living and the Government taking the workers for granted. The mover of the Motion talked about the issue of bursaries for students, District Commissioners (DCs) and the United States Dollar. All these issues are supposed to be tabled by the union and not us.

Laughter

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government will not interfere with the bargaining process like the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government did. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: We shall allow the unions and employer to continue with the negotiations. As far as we are concerned, we are within the law and we shall allow the unions to continue with the negotiations.

Mr Speaker, during the campaigns, we had promised the workers of this country that we would reduce the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) and would give them reasonable salaries.

Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: When we increased the salaries in 2013, our colleagues on the left were in the forefront of condemning the Government.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Mr Mwila: Yes, Mr Speaker.

What has changed now for our colleagues to bring this Motion to this House? They just want to get political mileage.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, we cannot allow this. Wherever they will go, no one will listen to them …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: … because we are within the law.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisala: Bwekeshapo.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, …

Mr Ng’onga: Chairman, labour.

Mr Mwila: My colleague, Hon. Chitotela, will sum it up.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, our colleagues should understand that we are not part of the negotiation team on behalf of the workers, but it is the union that does that. Even if there is no wage freeze, is Hon. Mweetwa going to be part of the negotiating team? The answer is no. That is the reason we have allowed the unions and employers to negotiate so that, tomorrow, no one will complain. We are doing things within the law.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kalima (Kasenengwa): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to debate this Motion. From the outset, let me state that I support the Motion. I also want to take this opportunity to condemn the Patriotic Front (PF) for their inhuman hearts by imposing the wage freeze on the well-meaning and hardworking civil servants who voted them into office.

Mr Speaker, when the public workers voted for the PF, they voted for change. This change was supposed to be positive. The people believed in the PF and they thought that this change would trickle down to their families. However, the people now regret having voted for the PF and I sympathise with them.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members on my right, when your colleagues were debating, you were quiet. This is how it should be. Both my right and left should give each other the opportunity to be heard. You may agree or disagree with what the debater is saying, but we have our own rules to follow here. 

Hon. Member, you may continue.

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, when the people voted for the PF, they were hoping for a better life because they believed in this Government but, now, they regret having voted for the PF.

Sir, I sympathise with the civil servants who were promised more money in their pockets and lower taxes. However, that has not happened and it is very sad. The PF think that they are very clever because they are now in office. They want to take advantage of the people. Some people have confessed that they are here to eat. Others have confessed that they are just here for one term and so they do not care what happens as long as they have money in their pockets and not in the people’s pockets. I want to remind them that I am very upset with the way some people debate. They come here and proudly say that they are doing the right thing and that Members from the Opposition do not understand.

Sir, I thank God for 2016 when we shall have the general elections. That will be the time for reckoning. I can assure the PF Government that the civil servants are also waiting for that time. The power is with the people and they are waiting to prove to the PF that they are not happy. They might look like they are nothing now, and yet they are very important. You will remember my words.

Mr Speaker, listening to some debaters like the hon. Member who was on the Floor before me, I really wonder whether he and the others understand why they are in this House. We are in this House as representatives of the people. We come here to represent the people in our various constituencies. I represent Kasenengwa and the civil servants there. How, then, can somebody come to this House and say that we should leave this issue to the unions? What, then, is our role as Members of Parliament?

Hon. Government Members interjected.

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, that shows ignorance. I am not surprised, …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

She is expressing her views. Please, let us listen to her debate. Hon. Member, you may continue.

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, ignorance is no defence, indeed. You can stand here proudly and expose your ignorance and, when people look at you, they will say what an ignorant person you are. That is what I saw a few minutes ago; ignorance at the highest level.

Sir, somebody gets up in this House to debate and they talk about the wage freeze. Then, that person says that he is bargaining. What comes first? Is it the wage freeze or collective bargaining? Collective bargaining is an agreement between parties. Let me remind the PF Government that in 1991, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government declared Zambia a free market economy. The Zambian economy was liberalised, and I can see that these people do not understand what a liberalised economy is. So, let me educate them on this.

Mr Speaker, a free market economy means that prices of goods and services are dictated by demand and supply. It is an economy where there is collective bargaining where you sit to talk and agree on one thing. Things are not imposed on the people. In this case, the public servants are the suppliers of goods, which is the service, and the Government is the buyer. So, we should allow bargaining to take place according to the law of demand and supply.

To that effect, Sir, let me state that it is criminal for this Government to impose a wage freeze in a free market economy. I also see that the Government does not understand what type of economy Zambia is enjoying. I would like to appeal to the unions and all the people who are negotiating not be intimidated, but to go ahead and do what they have to do. If this Government does not listen, then, they should strike if that is what it will take for the Government to listen. Like I stated, I will join the workers in all their protests to show that they are not happy with the wage freeze. They should protest until the Government listens.

Mr Speaker, it is criminal to impose a wage freeze in an economy like ours, where the cost of living is high. When I contributed to debate on the 2015 Budget, I stated that prices for a lot of commodities have gone up. For instance, prices of sugar, mealie meal and fuel have all gone up. Now, somebody can afford to stand in this House and talk about the increment that the Ruling Party effected in 2011. That has been overtaken by events as the cost of living in this country is pathetic. If the Ministers were paid low salaries like the Public Service workers, they would not be happy and would lose weight in a day.

Laughter

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, it is sad that people like these have no love. They cannot think about the public servants. I remember my late father told me that the most important person in life is the least person; the person who makes tea for you in the office. Who makes tea for you? It is the same public service workers that you want to ill-treat, and do not appreciate how important they are. You can laugh and say that I am being petty, but it is true that they are important people. You do not care because you have evil hearts.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

I think, we should be civil in our debate. When you deliberately use words that you know are not allowed in the House, you begin to heighten tension. So, please, let us avoid using unpalatable language. 

Hon. Member, withdraw the word “evil” and continue.

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, I withdraw the word “evil” and replace it with hard and selfish hearts that are not worth talking about. In Ezekiel 36, the Bible says that: 

“… I will remove the heart of stone in you and put in a heart of flesh.” 

However, I have seen that some hearts cannot be softened. At the moment, they are crying for their gratuity.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, order!

Let us not refer to that issue. Hon. Member of Parliament for Kasenengwa, can you veer …

Interruptions 

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

… off that path. Please, let us not talk about the gratuity.

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, I just want to emphasise that we should do unto others as we would like them to do unto us.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, I am reminded of one gallant man …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, on my right!

Hon. Kawandami, please, let us have order.

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, I am reminded of a gallant man, may his soul rest in peace. This is President Chiluba. In his Inaugural Speech in 1991, he stated as follows:

“How great is one’s belief in your fellow citizens, your friends and neighbours when you realise that the stream of democracy, dammed up for twenty-seven years, is finally free to run its course as a mighty African river not because of arms, not because of bullets, not because of anything, but because the patience of Zambia with corruption, repression and dictatorship has run out. The voice of the Zambian people, weak as it was at one stage, and faint against the thunder of a one party and one man’s rule, is strong, roaring. Let us not forget that we can replace the tyranny of an elite with the tyranny of many.”

Mr Speaker, going through the Inaugural Speech of President Chiluba, in 1991, the other day, I felt sad because I pictured him writing this speech, celebrating the MMD’s liberation of the people of Zambia from the one party rule. It is sad that after the effort that the MMD put in, we can now go back to the tendencies of the twenty-seven-year rule of the United National Independence Party (UNIP). 

Mr Speaker, I am not surprised that Hon. Mtolo and Hon. Muntanga got shocked about how a person that loves a country like Zambia, which is celebrating fifty years of Independence, could only put two pictures of Presidents on the cover of the Budget as though they were the only Presidents that have ruled this country. As I sat here, I understood that this is probably because we are back in the UNIP era where there was no love for another person. Leaders never thought of the plight of citizens, and a neighbour never mattered. That is the era we are in.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, is it because this Government is full of old people who were there in the time of UNIP? Probably, that is why …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, order, hon. Member of Parliament for Kasenengwa!

Laughter 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Do bear in mind that the Presiding Officer is also old.

Laughter 

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, in His Inaugural Speech, President Chiluba stated that the patience of Zambians with corruption, repression had run out and we read about members of the Ruling Party fighting for positions everyday in newspapers. They are fighting to be President even when there is a President in office. There are all sorts of vices in this country. The fight against corruption has been forgotten and dictatorship is at its highest under this Government. 

Mr Speaker, the imposition of the wage freeze shows that this Government does not care about its people. Somebody talked about negotiation on the wage freeze. I would like to ask what comes first between negotiations and imposition of a wage freeze. The Government has imposed a wage freeze before any negotiations have been concluded. This is because our colleagues across are dictators. 

Mr Speaker, another example I can give of this Government’s dictatorial tendencies is the enforcement of the Public Order Act. We have cried about it as Opposition leaders, but our friends do not care. Let us talk about the Constitution. How long have the church mother body, civil society and many other well-meaning Zambians talked about the Constitution? Our colleagues simply do not care about this issue. 

Sir, the other issue I would like to talk about is the implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT) Rule No.18. The hon. Minister of Finance had an opportunity to come to this House, explain and put this case to rest. He, however, does not care about this because he is in a dictatorial Government. It is like we are in a one-party State. 

Sir, I had the opportunity to sit on the Committee on Economic Affairs, Energy and Labour. When the Committee looked at Statutory Instruments (SIs) 33 and 35 and stakeholders were invited to make their submissions, they said that we should not implement the SIs because they were going to bring chaos in the country. As a Committee, we came to this House and advised this Government accordingly. However, because the Executive does not care, it went ahead and implemented the SIs using the arrogance of numbers. In my language, we say mwana osanva, akunvwa nkonga ili mumutu.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kalima: This means that our colleagues can only learn after burning their fingers. The hon. Minister came running back to this House, admitting that they had made a mistake. This is the same kind of mistake they want to make again and risk the lives of people. On the issue of subsidies, they arrogantly went ahead to remove the subsidies on fuel and fertiliser without negotiating or talking to the people. Now, where is the money that was saved from the subsidies? If they really saved money from the subsidies, they are supposed to be paying the people who have supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). 

Mr Speaker, to date, people in Kasenengwa are ‘crying’ for their money. They have not been paid because these people are dictators. We are back in the UNIP era where leaders did not care what other people said. You can even see this just from the way hon. Ministers answer questions in this House. It is sad that when I ask a question, the hon. Minister will stand up and just say what I have asked is a new question or he/she does not have the answer. Some of them even forget why they are in this House. 

Sir, this is because they do not care about anybody. This is exactly what President Chiluba talked about. I wish he knew that we would have another dictatorship, which is sad. I am not surprised that they are proudly and shamelessly talking about the wage freeze. How can they impose the wage freeze on citizens that are innocent and loving? 

Mr Speaker, I appeal to my colleagues, as hard as their hearts may be, to reconsider and lift the wage freeze that they have imposed on public workers. If they are a pro-poor Government, as they claim to be, they have to go back to the drawing board and come back to apologise. They made a mistake. They should not wait to burn their fingers the way they burnt their fingers on SIs 33 and 35.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I refuse to support the wage freeze. The other time, my neighbour here, Hon. Katambo, asked His Honour the Vice-President a question on the commissions of inquiry and His Honour the Vice-President said that the commissions of inquiry were for the Government. I was shocked to hear this, and I wish I could ask him what he meant by that, when they had used taxpayers’ money to come up with the commissions of inquiry. Are the commissions of inquiry meant for their ears only? The commissions of inquiry are for the people of Zambia. However, our friends do not care whether they waste money or not. For them, it is a way of putting more money in their pockets and enriching themselves.

Mr Speaker, by-elections have been talked about and the Ruling Party has recklessly spent money on them. I am one of the people who have gone through a by-election, and I am back here. The by-elections have so far gobbled about K7 million, but our colleagues do not seem to care as long as they satisfy their egos.

Mr Muchima: Hear, hear!

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, I repeat that I refuse to support the wage freeze. I, therefore, appeal to the Government to lift it because they have misplaced priorities. It is high time they did the right thing. Look at how the civil servants are suffering and how this will affect their children. I wish I was allowed to talk about the allowances that hon. Members get and compare that to the civil servants’ pay. I will, however, secretly write a note and send it to the civil servants so that they see the allowances and other monies that the hon. Ministers get in comparison with their salaries. Maybe, their consciences would be clearer.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, order!

Mr Nkombo and Mr Chitotela stood up.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Can we sit down first.

Mr Nkombo interjected.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Yes, I know you want to debate, but I also want to say something first. Hon. Members, I was here when the debate on this Motion started. From what has been said, I have come to the conclusion that there will be no different ideas put forward.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: However, I will allow more people to debate because I am taking into account the number of people who have spoken apart from the mover and seconder. Now, I will need one person each from the three groupings. I will give the Floor to the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central, then Pambashe and, finally, Mwandi. 

The hon. Member for Mazabuka Central can take the Floor.

Ms Kalima: I have not finished, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: I thought you had finished.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Sorry. 

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

I thought you had finished, but you still have three minutes. You sat down because I took the Floor. I do not want to deprive you of your three minutes. 

Can you continue.

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, I just want to join those that have said there is nothing to celebrate the fifty years for.

Mr Mwaliteta: Question!

Ms Kalima: There is nothing to celebrate. We can acknowledge that the country has attained fifty years of Independence. Yes, we have come all the way.

Ms Kapata: Iwe! You cannot see the peace?

Ms Kalima: How can somebody celebrate on an empty tummy? How can somebody celebrate without hope? Initially, I wanted to celebrate …

Hon. Government Members: Who has stopped you?

Interruptions

Ms Kalima: … but, yesterday, when I asked His Honour the Vice-President whether the President was out of the country because he was sick or he had gone for a medical check-up, no proper answer was given, and yet the newspapers are saying that he has gone for a medical checkup. I sat down, trying to understand the situation, but then I realised that he is away because he cannot face the people.

Interruptions

Ms Kalima: He cannot explain to the people why the economy is so bad. How does he explain the poverty levels that have increased; the widening gap between the poor and the rich; and the fact that civil servants cannot get a salary increment? Yes, there is nothing to celebrate. The President had to go because he could not face the people. How can I celebrate? What is there to celebrate? Celebrate failure? You only celebrate success not failure.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I appeal to the union leaders to protest because there is nothing …

Interruptions

Ms Kalima: … that this Government can do.

Interruptions

Ms Kalima: Please, protest and I will join you. If it means taking off my hat, my top or whatever I can take off in protest, I will do so.

I thank you, Sir. 

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, in the House!

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the mover and seconder of this Motion. As I start my debate, I wish to state that this Motion …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Nkombo: … requires sincere reflection of who we truly are and what we represent.

Sir, I am astonished at the manner in which our colleagues on your right seem to be positioned on this matter, especially with due respect to a dear colleague and friend, the hon. Member for Chipili, who indicated that we have no business to discuss a Motion such as this one. I would like to give a reminder to the hon. Minister of Finance, that when he came to this House in not so distant a past, he mentioned, in his Budget Speech, about the wage freeze. He did talk about it.

Prof. Luo: Where?

Mr Nkombo: In the Budget Speech. 

Since he talked about it, Sir, it, therefore, becomes our business because if it were not, he would not have brought it to this House. I want to adopt a few words of the previous speakers as mine. I stand here as a representative of a place called Mazabuka where there are civil servants, that is, people who work for the Government. Let me bring the argument closer to home so that those who are heckling and talking while I am on the Floor can understand that whilst their vehicles are air-conditioned, it is hot out there.

Sir, during tea break, I went to see the drivers who park on the Western side of Parliament Buildings, and each one of them had a piece of paper and pen, writing down the names of the people in here who are supporting the wage freeze.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: The drivers fall in the category of workers whose wages have been frozen.

Mr Livune: Mm!

Mr Nkombo: So, they are actually ‘moonlighting’ with their enemies. One of the drivers actually said, “Ifi fibantu, chawama fye wafipunkisha.”

Mr Milambo: Yes!

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: Sir, this relates to those of you who have drivers. I drive myself.

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: The drivers are sending a warning to these people, but they are referring to them as, fibanhu, in a derogatory manner. They are saying, “These vi people, …

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: … it is better to deliberately bash the car in which they are.”

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: The drivers are listening very closely to this debate. I would now like to try and provide some solutions, …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Nkombo: … believing that this is a decent Motion, controversial as it may seem. It touches on the very heart and soul of the people whom we represent. So, in trying to find a solution to this, I would like to borrow a few words from what the mover and seconder said. There is a way in which we can cut the Government wage bill, starting from this Chamber. 

Sir, the PF should give us back the Members of Parliament they got from our party ... 

Mr Shakafuswa: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: … and placed on their wage bill because this is a recurrent cost.

Mr Mufalali: Mm!

Mr Nkombo: The mover of the Motion was clear about Government Ministers using fuel and credit for cell phones purchased with taxpayers’ money, them living in Government Houses. As a way to be prudent, I would like you to emulate Hon. Chikwanda.

Mr Mufalali: Hear, hear! He is alone.

Mr Nkombo: Hon. Chikwanda has been running the Ministry of Finance without a Deputy for nearly one year. Give me the reason certain ministries require three or four Deputy Ministers. You can trim the wage bill by being prudent.

Mr Milambo: Yes!

Mr Nkombo: I will not delve into the trivialities of the illegalities. The point is, there are areas of the Budget we can trim. The first point of call is for you to give us back the Members of Parliament that you got by enticing them with jobs.

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: Sir, the PF’s Manifesto says that they are going to run a lean Cabinet. Now, I have realised that they do not like to read it. Look at them. They have even spilled over to this side of the House.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Milambo: One, two, three, four, five.

Mr Nkombo: Sir, there are seventy Ministers contrary to their promise that they would have a lean Cabinet. I salute Hon. Chikwanda who is running a ministry (pointing at Hon. Chikwanda) alone.

Dr Kaingu: And it is a big ministry.

Mr Nkombo: It is the parent ministry.

Dr Kaingu: Yes!

Mr Nkombo: Why should there be four or five Ministers in one ministry? Give me the reason. The reason we are discussing this is that there is no money. If there was enough money to meet the competing needs, we would not have been seated here today debating this Motion because civil servants would have been engaged in collective bargaining as usual. 

Mr Speaker, my colleague, Hon. Mwila, said that collective bargaining is none of our business because there are negotiations going on at the moment. This means that this Parliament is moribund. If there are negotiations going on at the moment, how can a country that has suffered an embargo on import and export have goods and services flowing in and out? It means that people are smuggling goods in and out of the country. How can you have a collective agreement when you have told us that there is a wage freeze? As Hon. Kalima said, which one of the two comes first? 

Sir, you may want to know this but I have been told, unofficially, that we are just wasting time because there is no wage freeze. This is deceit of the highest order.

Mr Mufalali: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: Sir, the mover of the Motion also indicated that if the borrowing is left unabated, we shall continue having these challenges that will eventually have a spill-over effect. I am almost fifty years old, and my imagination tells me that I may be irrelevant to the political landscape of this country in ten years’ time and will leave behind a burden.

Mr Speaker, this issue does not affect the civil servants alone. I do not have talking notes, but I am speaking off the cuff because I want to demonstrate to you that this wage freeze has spilt over to the greater population, that is, the farmers. As at last week, out of the one million metric tonnes of maize that the PF took from the farmers – they did not buy the maize because when you buy there is a transaction – only about 19 per cent, I stand to be corrected, has been cleared. This is pathetic. Even in academic progression, if you get 19 per cent, you have failed.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Belemu: This is it.

Mr Nkombo: Sir, they had budgeted for K700 billion to buy 500,000 metric tonnes of maize. The difference between the budgeted resources and what they paid, which is about K190 or K200 billion, is 27 per cent. This is still failure.

This problem has emanated from inconsistencies coupled with dishonesty on the part of those who are running the affairs of this country. Why is it that at the time the PF took office, it was so ecstatic that it gave an unprecedented 200 per cent pay rise across the board? Someone has mentioned that some workers actually got 4 per cent and only a very small proportion of the civil servants got the 200 per cent. Why should they now say that they have given civil servants enough money and, therefore, will not entertain any bargaining on personal emoluments?

Sir, I think that time has come to reflect deeply on who we really are. If we are going to abrogate our responsibility of speaking on behalf of those whom we represent, like Hon. Mwila said, then, we really do not know who we are. Hon. Mwila is a seasoned trade unionist like many others in this House. The other one is seated behind me; there is one over there; and there is also the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security.

Mr Mbulakulima: I am, too.

Mr Nkombo: Hon. Mbulakulima is, too. 

Sir, if the PF is bound by collective responsibility, I challenge the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security, bearing in mind Cap 12 of the Laws of Zambia which governs this House, to be truthful and tell me if debating the Motion on the wage freeze is an academic exercise because I was told that, “Takuli wage freeze,” meaning that there is no wage freeze because people are bargaining. 

Hon. Government Member: Yes, that is true.    

Mr Nkombo: It is nice to know that it is true. So, why are we wasting time? We shall see the outcome of the vote and will write down the names of those who are going to vote against the Motion. Your names will be written in the sky …

Interruptions

Mr Nkombo: … for all the Zambians to see that they are living among deceitful people. 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: If you have failed, I am going to offer a solution. There is honour in apologising. If you have failed, apologise to the workers, like you have done before on certain policy pronouncements that you have made and that have not worked. Tell them that you shall do better next time.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: It is honourable to do that. I would do that if I were in their position.

Mr Mutale: Wishful thinking.

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: When you are doing things in an haphazard manner, such as laughing when someone is making a point, this is the result. When people are discussing issues of bread and butter, you trivialise them by laughing and say that they are politicising the matter. Who cares? Are we not politicians ourselves?

Hon. UPND Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: Why should I even be shy to say that I am politicising issues? This is the job that the people of Mazabuka Central gave me. I am a politician. You should never hide behind your finger and say that this is just politics, and we want to gain political mileage. How did the PF gain political mileage? They gained mileage through telling lies and one of the lies they told was more money in people’s pockets.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Nkombo: I withdraw the word “lies”, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Thank you. The word “lies” is unparliamentary.

Mr Nkombo: I withdraw the word “lie”. 

Sir, the hon. Members from the PF are going to meet their Waterloo very soon. 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Nkombo: They will be saying, “Question,” even as they get into their Waterloo.

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: The time for reckoning for the PF has come. This is the moment we have been waiting for. In Tonga we say, isiba isisibakonze. 

Hon. Members: Meaning?

Mr Nkombo: The other one is sokwe kamuleya katabi.

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: The first phrase means that you have to use bait to catch a dove because it is a clever bird. Sokwe kamuleya katabi means that a monkey can maneuver in the trees but, one day, the branch can shift. The branch is about to shift for the PF.

Mr Mpundu: From?

Mr Chitotela: To where?

Mr Nkombo: That is if it has not already shifted because all we are waiting for is feedback. The feelings of civil servants are firing in all cylinders.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: The workers in this country are frustrated. If you want, we can conduct a quick survey here in Lusaka to see how badly the popularity of the PF has declined. 

Interruptions

Mr Nkombo: We can do that for them to have a feel of what is going on, on the ground. Sir, their ground has shifted.

Hon. Government Member: In Mazabuka?

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I respect the people of Mazabuka so much. So, now that you are bringing them into my debate, I would like you to know that they have sent me to come and tell you things such as what I am telling you now.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: People cook raw mangoes for a meal and you tell me that the poverty levels have reduced. A lot has been said. The removal of subsidies on fuel and maize has caused indelible wounds to the Zambian people. The PF Government will pay the price for this.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: They will pay a dear price. 

The Vice-President walked into the Assembly Chamber.

Mr Nkombo: I remember back in 1992 when I used to share an office with the gentleman who has just walked into the House.

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: We predominantly worked around …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

I think that it is nice that we recognise certain positions that people hold. I think that you do not lose anything by doing that.

You may continue, hon. Member.

Mr Nkombo: I meant the aisha who has just walked in.

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: With due respect, His Honour the Vice-President and I worked together harmoniously for a long time. However, sometimes, I wonder what kind of institution he runs as Leader of Government Business in the House. At the risk of being labelled racial, I want to put a disclaimer and say that Caucasians are generally honest human beings, like he has been. Bama kuwa tababeji.

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: They say things as they are. I am sure he is under extreme pressure working with people who shift goal posts. When we worked together, he was a prudent man. We used to work on the budget for a company called SGS every year. How come his Government is failing to operate a Budget today? 

Mr Speaker, as I wind up my debate, let me say that the workers are not the only ones who are stressed in this country. The farmers are more stressed than the workers because these human beings from the PF have not paid them for their maize. The earlier they realise that in life, the principle of …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

I will not allow points of order in this session.

You may continue, hon. Member.

Mr Nkombo: … the principle of one size fits all does not work, the better it will be for them. We have a common responsibility to uplift the standard of living of the citizens we represent. Therefore, I challenge the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security to say that we are just speaking academically because there is no wage freeze and people are negotiating for salary increments and there is no wage freeze so that this matter is put to rest once and for all.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member for Pambashe may take the Floor. However, before you go ahead, two hon. Ministers on my right will have to talk on this matter. In order to balance things, I will also have two more people from my left …

Hon. Government Members: Mm!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

… after the hon. Member for Pambashe.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela (Pambashe): Mr Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to …

Hon. Government Members: Mm!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

For you people who are saying, “Mm,” I do not like that because you do not know that I have a note from somebody on your right, who I will not mention, asking if I can give the Floor to somebody else. If I am going to give the Floor to somebody else, plus the two hon. Ministers, what do you think I am doing? Do not interfere with the Presiding Officer’s work.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

In short, I am responding to the note I got from someone on the right, asking me to give the Floor to somebody on the right. In view of what is being said, I will not give the Floor to that person on the right, apart from the two hon. Ministers, and then I will go onto my left.

You may continue, hon. Member.

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, I thank you, once again, for allowing me to debate this Motion. 

Mr Speaker, from the outset, I would like to mention that this Motion is defective, misplaced, inconceivable and wrongly brought before this House. In short, this is abuse of parliamentary privileges.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, the House is not supposed to entertain this Motion because there is no wage freeze in Zambia. In any case, what is a wage freeze?

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, you do not just move a Motion without conducting research. The mover of the Motion has made a lot of inconsistent statements, and I was taking down notes. I will quote a Labour Force Survey. The mover of the Motion has misled the Zambians. Achibepa kubena Zambia … 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Chitotela: … when he said that out of the total workforce in Zambia, 60 per cent are in the public sector.

Mr Deputy Speaker: May I have order on my left!

Mr Chitotela: That is a wrong statement. According to the Labour Force Survey that was conducted in 2012, only 10 per cent of the total number of workers in Zambia are in the public sector.

Mr Mwila: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, the wage freeze means freezing the award of salary increments, but not stopping the payment of salaries. Are we not paying salaries? 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, what we have is a salary moratorium …

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

You see, you can disagree with what somebody is saying just like the others disagreed with your viewpoint when you were speaking. In the interest of justice, I have said that I will not allow points of order during this debate.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, it is procedural.

Hon. Government Members: No!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

I think that I should not allow any more points of order.

Continue, hon. Member.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, there is a salary moratorium for two years that was announced by the hon. Minister of Finance in his Budget Speech for 2014 that was delivered to this House in 2013. According to my little understanding, we passed the law which the President assented to and it became the Budget Act. Someone said that the hon. Minister mentioned the wage freeze in his Budget Speech. I have gone through the Budget Speech and I have not seen the words “wage freeze”. That is the misleading statement I am talking about.

Mr Speaker, another hon. Member also said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has not paid the farmers. K402 million has been paid to the Zambians out there …

Interruptions

Ms Kalima: How many have you paid?

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Why are you engaging him in conversation?

Hon. Member for Pambashe, I just want to assist you. They are engaging you in conversation. Please, you may have different views to what he is saying, just as he may have different views to what you said, but the most decent thing to do is listen. If you disagree or agree with him, keep that to yourself. Let us not engage him in conversation.

You may continue, hon. Member.

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, that amount represents 60 per cent of the total amount owed to the farmers in Zambia. If you have no information, it is mischievous of you to mislead the Zambians who are listening to this debate.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, one hon. Member said that if hon. Members of Parliament cannot speak for the workers, who will speak for them? I realised that we lack understanding of the role and responsibilities of the Member of Parliament. The role of the Member of Parliament is to legislate, and not to participate in the bargaining process.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, according to the law that was quoted by the hon. Member of Parliament for Chipili, the Industrial Relations Act No. 269 provides the methods and people that are party to the collective bargaining process. Not even the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) participates in the bargaining process.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, the ZCTU is not a union, but a congress. It is a mother body that oversees the trade unions that are its members. The question is: After debating this Motion that has been wrongly brought to this House, what happens next? It is the trade unions and the Government, through the Public Service Management Division (PSMD), that are supposed negotiate and agree on the terms and conditions of service for Public Service workers.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, Hon. Davis Mwila elaborated the processes and procedures that have been followed. It is the union that announced that it had declared a dispute against the Government. I have worked at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and I know that when you have appointed a conciliator, you do not comment on that person because he/she is treated like a court. You do not ….

Mr Nkombo and Mr Chisopa stood up and went to sit next to Mr Chitotela.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: … criticise that person.

Mr Speaker, …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Can the two hon. Members for Mazabuka Central and Mkushi South, please, sit elsewhere so that he can debate nicely?

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, the first question that we need to ask is: When did Parliament become part of the collective bargaining process in Zambia? The collective bargaining process is between the employer and the employee, both in the public and private sectors. When I was at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, we were told that when there is a negotiation between a trade union and an employer, not even the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has the power to interfere in the negotiation. You let the bargaining process take its course. 

Zambia is a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other conventions such as the Right to Organise in the Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No.98), that we have assented to and domesticated, and that provides for a free and fair bargaining process. Therefore, Parliament cannot interfere with the bargaining process. I know that the ZCTU has the expertise in dialogue. 

Mr Speaker, confrontation does not solve anything. After demonstrating, then what? What are we going to achieve by demonstrating? It is like when you beat your wife in the street, then, want to sit with her in the privacy of your home and say you are sorry and ask for reconciliation.  

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, the unions and the Government, who is the employer through PSMD, have engaged in negotiations. If they have reached a deadlock and declared a dispute, they should wait for the process that they have engaged themselves in to take its course. If they will not be happy with the outcome of the reconciliation, they have another option. It is not the role of this Parliament to interfere with the free collective bargaining process. 

Ms Kalima: Question!

Mr Chitotela: Currently, we are interfering with the process when it is not our responsibility to so.

Ms Kalima: Question!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, the most dangerous thing in life is ignorance. When a person is ignorant, he/she does not realise that he/she is a danger to himself/herself.  

Laughter 

Mr Chitotela: The Industrial Relations Act is a public document. So, we need to apprise ourselves of it. The conventions I referred to are public documents. We need to keep abreast with them so that when we, as Members of Parliament, debate, we do not exhibit our ignorance by inciting people who are better placed …

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Bwekeshapo!

Mr Chitotela: …to understand labour issues than some of us who are debating in this House.  

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, I would like to appeal to the trade unions that understand the process of collective bargaining, not to take this matter to the street because it will not sort out this problem. Being incited by people who do not have a solution to the problem will not assist us to sort out the problem. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Go to the table and negotiate. Workers out there are not interested in demonstrations. They are interested in a peaceful and conducive environment that will make this country prosper. 

Mr Speaker, allow me to quote the Labour Force Survey for 2012 to clarify the misleading statements that were made by ignorant people …

 Hon. Opposition Members: Aah! 

Mr Chitotela: … pertaining to the law on labour relations.  

Mr Speaker, according to the Zambia Labour Force Survey for 2012, 10 per cent of the total labour force, representing 610,714, is in formal employment. Of this, only 200,000 are in the public sector. 

According to the report, the total workforce is 5.5 million out of a population of about 14 million people. This leaves about 60 per cent of those in formal employment in the private sector. The salary/wage moratorium has never been placed on the private sector. It has only been applied to Government employees who can negotiate through a collective bargaining process. 

Mr Speaker, at the time I was leaving the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, this process had already commenced. The negotiations …

Mr Kunda: Go back!

Mr Chitotela: …on how best to reach a consensus had already started.  

Mr Speaker, just to educate my friends, collective bargaining does not always result in salary/wage increments. No.

Mr Mwila: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Collective bargaining can result in salary/wage reduction, depending on the capacity of the employer to pay. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Collective barging can result in agreeing not to increase salaries the following year because the employer has no capacity to pay. This is what collective bargaining is. One cannot go to bargain and demand for a salary increment. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: This is a misconception. It is a misunderstanding of the process of free collective bargaining. 

One hon. Member quoted the decision of the ILO and laid it on the Table. Sir, this instrument stipulates that the Government and employees should nurture the process of negotiations and dialogue. They should sit down and come to a consensus. If the Government is not able to pay, the workers should understand because the Government is protecting …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Chitotela: … their welfare.  

Mr Mtolo: On a point of order, Sir. 

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Please, do not put us to the test. I made a decision not to allow any points of order. 

Hon. Member for Pambashe, you may continue. 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to reiterate that it is dangerous to be ignorant. When you do not know that you are ignorant, you are a danger to yourself. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Read these Acts and conventions that we have quoted. You will be better placed if you do so. This Motion has been wrongly brought before Parliament, and it is a total abuse of parliamentary privileges. 

I thank you, Sir.  

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu (Mwandi): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. On behalf of the workers in Zambia, I would like to commend the mover and seconder for a wonderful Motion. 

Mr Speaker, in debating this Motion, I will stand on the shoulders of Hon. Mwiimbu, Hon. Nkombo and hold onto the shoulders of Hon. Victoria Kalima. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, we should not bring in semantics when we debate. The last person on the Floor should not display his ignorance. A moratorium and freeze are one and the same thing. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu: Where is the difference? 

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Awisi Iris.

Laughter 

Dr Kaingu: I would like him to know that the Motion has been properly prepared and brought to this House. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kalima: Quality!

Dr Kaingu: This is a very good Motion for all of us, including the people on your right, Sir, because it relates to the people who work for them. 

Mr Speaker, the people of Zambia are like a cup of Chinese tea. 

Hon. Government Members: Again?

Laughter 

Dr Kaingu: They are very cool. I am speaking from experience because I was once on that side of the House. 

Mr Chishimba: Where? 

Dr Kaingu: On your side. 

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

You see, I will send you out, and you will not participate in the vote. 

Dr Kaingu: Yes, Sir. 

Mr Deputy Speaker: Be mannered. 

You may continue, hon. Member. 

Dr Kaingu: Thank you very much, Mr speaker.

Mr Speaker, the attrition levels on your right are very high. Some of the colleagues we were with on the other side did not come back to this side. The people of Zambia, especially the workers, are listening to the debate. Some of us knew that it was going to be very difficult to implement the 2014 and 2015 budgets. When we were in the Cabinet, we looked at the Budget and realised that 60 per cent of it was going towards emoluments.

Hon. Government Members: Seventy-five per cent. 

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: They do not have a Cabinet.

Dr Kaingu: When we saw our colleagues appointing four Deputy Ministers for some ministries and employing 1,000 District Commissioners (DC), … 

Laughter 

Dr Kaingu: … we realised that it would be very difficult for them to implement the Budget. In fact, before I go further into my debate, I would like to say that it will be very difficult for them to actualise the 2015 Budget unless they come up with harsh fiscal policies. They will have to approach companies and give them their tax bills in order to realise the money that has been put in the Budget. Otherwise, the 2015 Budget will fail.

Mr Speaker, it is very important that the wage freeze that we are talking about is lifted because very few people are in gainful employment. The people in formal employment are the ones who are looking after the rest of the unemployed population. If you do not give them decent salaries, what will happen? The middle class has been wiped out since you came into power. The Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) was growing the middle class, but now it is diminishing.

Sir, the end result of all this is that the worker will always compensate himself. In human resource management, there is what we call equity. If a worker is working well and he knows that he is worth K1,000, but you pay him K300, he will find a way of compensating himself. If you are not going to give the workers the salary increment they deserve, then, they are going to compensate themselves …

Hon. Government Members: How?

Dr Kaingu: How? Well, instead of reporting for work at 0800 hours, they will report at 0900 hours or 1000 hours, take their lunch break at 1200 hours instead of 1300 hours and go home at 1600 hours instead of 1700 hours. Further, if there is something that they can sell, they will pick it.

Laughter 

Dr Kaingu: That is what the workers will do. 

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Finance is in a precarious situation or a devil’s alternative, as he does not know what to do. The hon. Minister said that the Salary Bill is already at 75 per cent of the Budget, leaving us with only 25 per cent for all the other programmes. This means that almost all the programmes are going to stall. 

Sir, yesterday, His Honour the Vice-President said that we should wait for 48 hours, but I say you should wait for two years and you will see … 

Laughter 

Dr Kaingu: … that your university will not be built and your roads will not be constructed. It is very clear to see and the hon. Minister, who is well informed, will agree with me.

Mr Ng’onga: Question!

Interruptions 

Dr Kaingu: What does this wage freeze mean? 

Mr Speaker, one day a teacher was having a class and he told his students that if a snake bit them on the ankle, they should tie the calf tightly so that the poison does not reach the heart. One young lady in the class asked where one should tie if a snake bit him/her on the head.

Dr Musokotwane: Where do you tie? 

Dr Kaingu: This is the situation that you have put your workers in. You are biting them on the head, but where do you want them to tie?

Laughter 

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, this is a timely warning to you. I have said …

Hon. Opposition Member: Uleya, uleya.

Dr Kaingu: … that there are high attrition levels on that side. In fact, I remember that the MMD is the party that brought the highest number of Cabinet and Deputy Ministers back to this House. However, I am not sure if that side will be able to achieve the same feat. It is very dangerous for that side of the House.

Laughter 

Mr Mbulakulima: It is very dangerous.

Dr Kaingu: Hon. Kambwili can testify that when we would bring Motions like this to the House, …

Interruptions 

Dr Kaingu: … we always won. We won in the House while we were losing outside the House.

Laughter 

Dr Kaingu: We cannot argue about losing. History’s biggest problem is that …

Hon. Opposition Members: It repeats itself.

Dr Kaingu: … it has an ugly way of repeating itself.

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: Sir, what surprises me is that the MMD did not remove the subsidies or freeze wages although it had the same micro-economic factors, gross domestic product (GDP) and inflation rate as the Patriotic Front. How come you are displaying the same factors, but you have removed the subsidies and frozen wages? Are the facts that you are bringing to this House correct? 

Mr Speaker, at the end of the day, you will fail to pay yourselves, if this has not happened already.

Laughter

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: Tom and Jerry.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the beauty of speaking last is that most of the issues that you would have liked to cover …

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: You can emphasise.

Dr Kaingu: Yes. I want the workers to know that the voice of the Parliamentarian is not a lonely voice. I want the public out there to echo our sentiments.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu: We debated the wage freeze, the Constitution and the Public Order Act last year, but we did not hear the voice of the people. 

Mr Speaker, this is a lesson. We are going to speak for the people but, please, let them receive us out there.

Laughter 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: Question!

Interruptions 

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, Hon. Nkombo said sokwe missed a branch. I can attest to what Hon. Nkombo said. 

Mr Speaker, I was at the Victoria Falls when a tourist threw a banana and a monkey jumped for it, forgetting that it was going to fall into the Victoria Falls. It missed the banana, and you know where it ended up.

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, in the Bemba language that I know very well, we say, “Fyakuifwaila.”

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: Sir, this means that you are the cause of all your problems. You will win because you will not vote wisely in this House. There is a good saying in Bemba which is very difficult for me to say, but I will translate it. 

Interruptions

Dr Kaingu: You should even appreciate that I can speak it. How much …

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, when you are being beaten and you fall down, do not resist the punches. Just go along with them.

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: We have beaten you people in this House. It is a clean defeat and you should come along with us. Hon. Kambwili, I know that you are the next speaker because you always do that. You know that the people of Zambia are annoyed with you and, if you want to turn yourselves into bait for 2016, ...

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

You are talking directly to them. Address them through the Chair. If you address them directly, you will invite their response.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, as I conclude, let me state that I have heard some of my colleagues say that hon. Members of Parliament have got nothing to do with collective bargaining. We are not bargaining in this House. There is a problem of a wage freeze. Even the people out there are not bargaining. There is something wrong. When you bargain, it means that everything is alright. Hon. Minister, you are aware that there is something wrong. How do we bargain? I want you to know the fundamental roles of Members of Parliament. One of them is oversight. We should be able to tell you where you have gone wrong. You are even lucky, …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

Can you address them through the Chair.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, this was supposed to be directed at them ...

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: … because their President is the one who told them in this House that they should engage the hon. Opposition Members so that they can help them. We are giving you help ...

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: …. on a silver platter and you are refusing to accept it. Anyway, I know that we are going to vote, and I would say that, “Chaona munzako chapita, mawa chilipaiwe.” This means that, if your friend has a funeral, for instance, do not laugh at him because tomorrow, it will be you. Leo ni leo, wakasema kesho ni mungu. The few words, which my colleagues, the mover of the Motion, Hon. Mweetwa, Hon. Mwiimbu, Hon. Nkombo, Hon. Mbulakulima and our gem, Hon. Victoria Kalima, have said on the Floor of this House, mean that what you have done is wrong.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

Hon. Member, I think you are through with your debate.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, before I go to the gist of my debate, I would like to, firstly, reflect on some presentations that have been made from the other side (right) of the House. The definition of a wage freeze does not mean that you should totally stop the payment of wages. It is the increase in wages that has been frozen. It does not mean that the workers will not be paid. There was a wage freeze this year and the civil servants continued getting their salaries. Are we not getting paid? Is there anybody who is not getting paid? Everybody is being paid. The way I have understood the wage freeze is that there was not going to be an increment. 

Sir, the word, “moratorium” was used. Moratorium means to stop doing something for a fixed period of time. Therefore, it is the same as a wage freeze. There is no difference. 

Mr Speaker, on this side (left) of the House, it is like we are becoming labour unions and we are negotiating with the Government for things such as salaries. Somebody even said that Parliament is not part of the bargaining process. We are not bargaining here. We are representing the people who put us in office to speak on their behalf. I cannot ask all the people of Luena, that is if there are any who are in employment, to come to Parliament to talk about salaries. These people talk to me and I am the one who is representing them. They say that they are not happy with what is happening. The role of a Member of Parliament, for the sake of those who may not even know, is oversight and appropriation. At the moment, we are discussing appropriation issues in the Budget Speech. Representation is also one of our roles. Therefore, we are representing the people and not bargaining. 

Mr Speaker, somebody said that the labour force is 5 million and I do not agree with that. If the labour force is 5 million, it refers to those that are currently in employment.  When somebody talked about 60 per cent, he was referring to those who are in employment and not the ones that are employable. On that basis, the Government is the largest employer at the moment.

Mr Speaker, labour is one of the factors of production in economics. Therefore, it is a very important component in our economic activities and development. It cannot be down played. It has to be recognised. That is why we need to look at it and recognise its importance. We need to handle it very carefully. I sympathise with the hon. Minister of Finance because he needed to perform a balancing act. 

However, the problem is that the Government did two things in a hurry without looking at the implications. They increased the minimum wage without carrying out a productivity improvement assessment. My cousin, Hon. Shamenda, who is a former union leader, just thought of increasing the minimum wage without looking at the implications.

Interruptions

Ms Imenda: However, they later looked at the balance sheet and realised that things were not balancing. As if that were not enough, they increased salaries of some Government workers by 200 per cent. Although they promised such things during their campaigns, macro-economic factors are related to each other, some move in tandem while others move in the opposite direction.

Mr Hamudulu: Tell them.

Ms Lubezhi: They do not understand.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, they increased the minimum wage and salaries by 200 per cent across the board without looking at the corresponding productivity improvement.

Mr Hamudulu: That is front loading.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, when the hon. Minister sat in his office and wanted to pay the Government workers, the Government’s coffers started running dry. Meanwhile, there was an ambitious programme of infrastructure development. They realised that they were in trouble and effected the wage freeze. They created a problem which they wanted to readdress, but it drew them into deeper waters.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education stated that 76 per cent of the allocation to that ministry goes towards wages and administrative costs. This means that they are left with only 24 per cent for development and that is the same story in all the ministries. The Cabinet should have thought through this before announcing these changes. I believe they have technocrats, labour experts, economists and financial experts who should have given them information on the implications of taking certain steps. Then, they would have not increased the salaries by that much because 200 per cent is a lot and it becomes more than 200 per cent when we add the increase in the minimum wage. That is a problem which they have created.

Mr Speaker, they had promised the Zambians …

Mr Hamudulu: More money.

Ms Imenda: … that they would put more money in their pockets, but is it more money in the pockets of the privileged ones who are already employed or those who are not even in employment? They promised that they would create jobs and, at the same, they wanted to pay those who are already employed highly, but this has drawn them into deeper waters.

Mr Speaker, the implication of that more than 200 per cent increase in wages meant that they could not employ more people because they had to maintain those who are already employed by increasing their salaries. Therefore, they could not create jobs and put more money in people’s pockets. Meanwhile, when the hon. Minister looked at the coffers, he realised that the money was not enough. Other ramifications came in and they had to redress that problem by removing the subsidies. After they removed the subsidies, they decided to take other hostile measures of enforcing the wage freeze or a moratorium as they call it. They have created even more problems for themselves. The other moratorium is on employment. They promised to create jobs but, at the same time, they stated that the Government, as the largest employer, will not recruit people in the army, national service and police. How do they reconcile their objective of creating more jobs? So, there are all these problems.

Mr Speaker, I have raised these issues so that we can all think outside the box in order to find solutions. A mistake was already made but, instead of redressing that mistake, they made more mistakes and now they are in troubled waters.

Mr Speaker, some of the victims of these hostile measures are the people from the Western Province.

Dr Kaingu: Yeah, it is true.

Ms Imenda: The majority know that about 172 workers in the Western Province were fired.

Dr Kaingu: Correct!

Mr Nkombo: Aah, by who?
.
Ms Imenda: It is a well-known fact that those workers who were employed in the newly-created districts were fired because they could not be paid.

Mr Hamudulu: Aah!

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, they should have done a balancing act. If they did not want to increase the wages, they should have saved money to employ more people whom they can pay moderately. Most of the civil servants who got the 200 per cent salary increment are …

Mr Nkombo: The PSs. 

Ms Imenda: … the technocrats, Permanent Secretaries and directors who are already on a high salary scale. A worker at the Lusaka City Council who slashes grass at Kabulonga roundabout did not get any increment.

Interruptions

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, in China, when the Government does not have enough money to increase the workers’ salaries, they employ more people at a lower level. The Patriotic Front (PF) Government should have done the same. Then, they would have met their objective of creating more jobs. Instead of increasing salaries of the already highly-paid workers, they should have employed more people at the lower level who are paid less. Even if the Permanent Secretaries, directors and those technocrats, who are benefitting so much do not vote for you, the workers from Lusaka City Council who are slashing the grass and those from Limulunga District or wherever, are the majority. Those will appreciate and vote for you because they will say, it is true, kiniti, these people have created jobs for us.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, yes kiniti, but could you please summarise.

Hon. UPND Members: Kiniti, they are drivers.

Ms Imenda: I do not want to talk about the drivers or whatever was mentioned earlier. Did the Government put up with these austerity measures? No, it did not because when the Government imposed that wage moratorium, it decided to go into excess and unnecessary expenditure. They did that by creating by-elections and employing more District Commissioners (DCs) who, …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, you are repeating what has already been said by the others.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, I just want to say something about the DCs. If the DCs were not employed, we could have made a saving. How much are we spending on the DCs? Their motor vehicles need fuel and they also need to be paid allowances. The DCs were employed to go into by-elections and spend a lot of money. What I am saying is that, that money could have been saved and used in the austerity measures to cover up for the Budget deficit, that is, the fiscal space that the hon. Minister talked about.

Sir, in conclusion, I would like to say that the Government should reduce the number of Deputy Ministers so that it can save some resources. The cabinet is bloated. Those are my thoughts on this Motion.

I thank you, Sir.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Mr Shamenda): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank Hon. Chitotela and Hon. Mwila for their contributions.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Shamenda: Mr Speaker, firstly, I would like to inform the House that up until 1980, collective agreements had a lifespan of three years on account of the macro-economic stability that the country was experiencing at that time. During the period, as is the case now, either party had the right to notify the other if there was a need to review the collective agreement before the expiry of the three years.

Sir, during the early nineties, macro-economic instability and, particularly, inflationary pressures, necessitated the change to allow for salary reviews every twelve months. During the negotiation process, the bargaining parties have the right to negotiate in the spirit of free collective bargaining and later submit collective agreements for approval to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Where parties disagree, the law provides for the next course of action and, in this regard, the dispute resolution procedure is outlined in the law. The procedure for dispute resolution involves the following steps:

(a)    conciliation;

(b)    if conciliation fails, then the matter can go for arbitration or;

(c)    be referred to the Industrial Relations Court; and

(d)    strike ballot.

Sir, in case of workers who provide essential services, the dispute is straight away referred to the Industrial Relations Court. It is also important to take cognisance of the fact that the 2014 Collective Agreements for the Government and some Public Service workers’ unions have expired. The Public Sector unions are eleven in number and include:

(i)    Civil Servants Union and Allied Workers of Zambia;

(ii)    National Union of Public Service Workers;

(iii)    Zambia National Union of Teachers;

(iv)    Professional Teachers Union of Zambia;

(v)    Secondary Education Teachers Union of Zambia;

(vi)    Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia;

(vii)    Judicial Service and Allied Workers Union of Zambia;

(viii)    Zambia Union of Local Authorities and Allied Workers;

(ix)    Zambia Union of Nurses;

(x)    Zambia National Union of Health and Allied Workers; and

(xi)    Agriculture Technical and Allied Workers.

Mr Speaker, so far, negotiations with two of the eleven Public Service sector unions have concluded and have had their collective agreements approved by myself. They are in the implementation stage.

Mr Muntanga: How much money?

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, on my left!

Mr Shamenda: Mr Speaker, the rest are at conciliation stage. Therefore, the focus now is on addressing the 2014 negotiating processes.

Sir, lastly, as the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, we will continue to play our advisory role in negotiation processes to ensure industrial harmony. I wish to mention that in the process of collective bargaining, the Government is treated like any other employer in line with the principles of free collective bargaining, taking into consideration the ability of the institution to pay.

I thank you, Sir.

The Minister of Finance (Mr Chikwanda): Mr Speaker, firstly, let me express my sincere thanks for the opportunity to speak on the Motion moved by Hon. Mweetwa, urging the Government to lift the 2014/2015 Public Service wage moratorium.

Sir, there is a compelling need to put things in the wider context of national interest so that this august House does not make decisions which may turn out to be a disservice to our country.

Mr Speaker, on Friday, 10th October, 2014, you allowed me to proceed with the presentation of the Budget for the Fiscal Year 2015, after I laid on the Table a document from His Excellency, the President, in the form of a Motion, recommending favourable consideration of that Motion.

Sir, the Budget presented to this House is a culmination of an elaborate process of consultations with all the ministries, provinces and spending agencies.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, other stakeholders beyond the confines of the Government were also consulted. This process will become more intense and meaningful when this Parliament enacts the Planning and Budget Law.

Sir, the Cabinet approves the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and the benchmarks for the Budget for particular years. The Cabinet carefully and critically scrutinises the Budget before its presentation to Parliament. The Budget is, therefore, a statement of the Government’s development intentions and policies, …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1815 hours until 1830 hours.

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the Chair]

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was saying that the Budget is a statement of the Government’s development intentions and policies. It is an expression and affirmation of the Government’s development agenda. Therefore, there is no doubt that the glaring gaps between the demands and requirements of ministries, provinces and spending agencies (MPSAs) and the budget allocations are purely and essentially a function of resource gaps.

Mr Speaker, I wish to emphasise that Government policies have their origins in the aspirations of the Zambian people who ushered this Government into office on the platform of lower taxes, unskewed development and better lives for all. You may recall that His Excellency the President had unequivocally mentioned before this House that, “Zambians do not only deserve better lives, but they are also entitled to better lives.” Therefore, all policy decisions made by this Government, including the Wage Policy that was announced in my Budget Speech for 2014, are in pursuit of these objectives.

Mr Speaker, let me reiterate that the Public Service wage bill currently stands at about 53 per cent of the total domestic revenues (this excludes wages paid to staff in statutory bodies and other grant-aided institutions). The total wage bill in the entire Public Service, when all other public institutions are considered, is estimated to take up over 75 per cent of total domestic revenues, leaving only a meagre 25 per cent to be spent on poverty reduction, capital formation and developmental programmes. This means that the Government is spending more of the nation’s locally-generated resources on about 200,000 Public Service employees and less on the rest of the 13 million people of Zambia.

Sir, I believe it is in the interest of this House and the entire 13 million Zambians to see more than just 25 per cent of the national resources allocated to development areas such as roads, agriculture, dams, schools, hospitals and drugs if we are to achieve meaningful economic growth which will significantly impact the lives of many of our impoverished fellow Zambians, who also deserve and are entitled to better living.

Mr Speaker, I further wish to remind this House that the 2014/2015 wage moratorium came at the backdrop of a huge 2013 wage award which was the largest single wage increase in the public service in our country. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikwanda: At an average of 40 per cent, this wage award managed to lift the monthly salary of the lowest paid public servant by over 140 per cent, that is, from K1,243 to K3,003 per month. For the first time, the monthly wage of the lowest paid public servant was above the basic needs basket of K2,800 and compared favourably with the private sector wages. This is also significantly above the combined inflation level of both 2014, which is estimated at 7.8 per cent, and 2015 which we are projecting at 7.1 per cent. The House will also remember that the Government awarded all workers in the country a consecutive increase in the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax exemption threshold of 36 per cent, that is, from K2,200 to K3,000 per worker per month.

Mr Speaker, the period of the wage moratorium has also given the Government an opportunity to work on the harmonisation and rationalisation of salaries and conditions of service across the Public Service. This is aimed at removing distortions which are inherent in the Public Service remuneration system, so as to ensure transparency, vertical and horizontal equity and strengthening the link between pay and performance in the Public Service. 

During this period, the Government has also continued to invest in schemes which are aimed at enhancing the welfare of employees, job satisfaction and staff productivity. In this regard, the Government established the Public Service Micro-Finance Company to assist the public workers access cheaper credit at interest rates as low as 5 per cent per annum, Public Service Group Funeral Insurance Scheme and Public Service Health Insurance Scheme. While the interest rates offered by the Public Service Micro-Finance Company have been slightly adjusted upwards, they still remain the lowest on the market so as to provide optimal relief to the beneficiaries in the Public Service.

Mr Speaker, let me also report that although there seems to be contention from some sections of the labour union movement, the Government has already reached an agreement with certain Public Service unions regarding the rationale and content of the 2014 Wage Policy. Some of the aggrieved unions have also proceeded to declare a dispute with the Government and, in accordance with the provisions of the law, a conciliator has been jointly appointed as an independent intermediary who is expected to facilitate further dialogue and possible consensus in view of the reasons and rationale behind the positions taken by either party. 

I wish to further report that the conciliation process between the Government and Public Service labour unions is proceeding well and in harmony. The Government will issue a comprehensive statement on the outcome of this process as soon as it has been exhausted. Meanwhile, let me pay my sincerest tribute to the Secretary to the Cabinet and his able team of officials for the meticulous interactions with the unions on behalf of the Government.

Mr Speaker, let me also state that the Public Service labour unions are demanding an average wage increase of about 30 per cent across the board, which translates to over K5 billion per annum. The only possible ways of raising these additional funds are through:

Additional Borrowing

Mr Speaker, this implies that the Government shall have to increase the 2015 domestic and/or external borrowing by K5 billion. The implications are that the Budget deficit will have to go up by an additional 3 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP), which also implies an increase in debt repayment on future budgets.

Additionally, since costs associated with wage increments awarded in one year should be perpetually paid, the Government will have to solicit for more money in the ensuing years to cover the increased wages. This can be an unsustainable process with injurious effects on the economic growth of our country.

Scaling Back the Recurrent Expenditure Operations Budget 

Mr Speaker, the implication of scaling back on the recurrent budget may affect the operations and consequently the service delivery levels in the key sectors of the country. For example, 60 per cent of the recurrent budget for the Ministry of Health is meant for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies, while 48 per cent of the recurrent budget for the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education caters for the operations of various primary and secondary schools across the country. 

In addition, Sir, a lot of day-to-day services that are offered by the Government, such as agricultural extension services and rehabilitation of various infrastructure are highly dependent on the recurrent budget. It is, therefore, inevitable that this option will encourage an enormous accumulation of arrears due to Government’s continued acquisition of critical goods and services which would not be paid for. 

Scaling Back the Capital Expenditure Budget
 
Mr Speaker, it is important to note that the country’s current development agenda hinges heavily on the effective implementation of the capital projects contained in the Budget. Therefore, the loan implementation or scaling back of these infrastructural projects will certainly obviate this agenda. Some of the key capital projects that may be affected are the roads and railway projects, electricity generation, and infrastructure for schools, public universities and health facilities.

Introducing Additional Revenue Measures 

In order to solicit for the required additional funds, there may be a need for the Government to introduce additional tax measures in 2015 to raise the K5 Billion. Mr Speaker, these measures may include reversing the recent awarded PAYE tax exception threshold, increasing corporate and personal income taxes and/or increasing consumption taxes, such as the Value Added Tax (VAT). All these measures have the potential to negate most of the tax incentives which this Government has worked so hard to award in the last three years. Moreover, such an action has great potential to propel public dissent on this Government which was ushered into office on the platform of “lower taxes.”

In view of the above, Mr Speaker, I wish to reiterate that reversing the 2014-2015 Wage Policy would imply a major restructuring of the 2015 proposed Budget, with unsalutary ramifications on the majority of Zambians.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Chikwanda: I, therefore, wish to urge all my compatriots in this House, including the hon. Member for Katombola, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikwanda: … that we are all here because we all have a noble duty of providing development to all Zambians, not just the 200,000 Zambians in the Public Sector. Therefore, let us reflect on this duty with a great sense of responsibility and humility. Let not our judgment be clouded by divisive overtones from non well-meaning people and media houses.

Mr Speaker, as leaders of our people, we are entrusted with the delicate mandate of being custodians of the composite interests of all Zambian citizens. This does not give us lavish leeway and sanctuary to succumb to expedience and populism. Ours is an onerous duty to roll back injurious fiscal irresponsibility which has been the hallmark of our National Budget. Only by arresting structural deformities and imbalances can we anchor the Zambian economy on a sustainable development trajectory. The only veritable recipe for poverty reduction is sustainable high growth rates in an environment of low inflation. Outrageous deficits are counterproductive to macro-economic stability which should be our legacy to the future generations.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, Hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, In winding up debate, I would like to thank hon. Members who have debated this Motion so passionately. These include Hon. Mwiimbu, Member of Parliament for Monze Central, Hon. Nkombo, Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central, Hon. Kaingu, Member of Parliament for Mwandi and our golden lady, …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: … Hon. Kalima, Hon. Davies Mwila, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, Hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Hon. Chitotela, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, Hear!

Mr Mweetwa: … the Minister of  Labour, Hon. Shamenda, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, Hear!

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Mweetwa: … and the hon. Minister of Finance. 

Mr Lubinda: What about Imenda?

Mr Mweetwa: And Hon. Imenda.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Sir, as I sat here, I was proud that, today, we had an engaging debate that provided an opportunity for the people of Zambia to know the composition of thought that is housed in this place.

Mr Livune: Mm!

Mr Mweetwa: Sir, I would like to take note of the issues Hon. Mwiimbu raised. He talked about the illegality …

Mr Livune: That is right.

Mr Mweetwa: … of this wage freeze.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Sir, the first time, I stood on the Floor of this House …

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Wind up debate.

Mr Mweetwa: I am winding up, Sir.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order, order!

Mr Sing’ombe: He is winding up. He has to respond.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order! 

Let us advise one another.

We have two Motions pending and, today, the House is adjourning at 1915 hours. So, as you wind up, bear that in mind. We have two pending motions which risk lapsing.

Mr Mweetwa: Sir, the question of legality that was raised by Hon. Mwiimbu cannot go unnoticed. All the debaters on your right hand side decided to place themselves on a blind spot and not to respond. Since our job here is to defend the Constitution and the laws of this country, evidence was laid on the Table of the House that this is an illegal wage freeze. Are we therefore, going to go ahead and debate as usual, and even propose a vote, when we are talking about legality and illegality?

Interruptions

Mr Nkombo: Let us vote.

Mr Mweetwa: Sir, allow me just less than one minute or so …

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

The Deputy Chairperson: Order! 

Allow the hon. Member to wind up. I have already advised.

Mr Mweetwa: … to appreciate the contributions of Hon. Mwila and Hon. Chitotela and to state that I was a bit concerned with what appeared to be a demeaning and derogatory tone of Hon. Chitotela’s address to us. We were flagrantly labeled ignorant.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Mweetwa: Sir, I understanding the situation on behalf of the hon. Members on your left hand side and forgive Hon. Chitotela …

Interruptions

Mr Mweetwa: … because …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: … I believe …

The Deputy Chairperson: Order, order! 

Proceed to wind up under a minute.

Mr Mweetwa: … that he was speaking within the confines of his intellectual resource endowment.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Sir, …

Mr Milambo: 10-0.

Mr Shakafuswa: From Copperstone University.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order, order! 

Mr Mweetwa: Sir, the Motion was very clear. We are not talking …

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Hon. Member, proceed to wind up.

Mr Mweetwa: … about bargaining processes that could be taking place. We are talking about a wage freeze which, in their own contradictory way, they have admitted. As a matter of reality and law, through the …

Interruptions 

Hon. Mwila, Hon. Chitotela and Hon. Zulu all rose on points of order.

The Deputy Chairperson: No points of order, please. The ruling has already been made.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Members, no points of order.

Mr Shakafuswa: Iwe, just stand up (referring to Hon Kambwili).

Mr Kambwili: On a point of order, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Member, you are an hon. Minister.

Mr Shakafuswa: Atase, muletutinya, imwe?

The Deputy Chairperson: May you wind up, please.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, the Motion is clear. It is about the wage freeze and not the bargaining processes. This Motion has been brought to the House correctly and aptly because of the imminent passage of the Budget Act which makes the wage freeze part of the law.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: We have moved the Motion, urging the Government to lift the wage freeze. So, if ignorant people come here to pretend to be knowledgeable, …

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

There is no ignorant Member of Parliament. We are all reasonable Members of Parliament.

You may proceed.

Interruptions

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, since what we are talking about is very clear, …

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: May you, please, wind up.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order, on my right! 

Hon. Member for Choma Central, may you wind up, please.

Interruptions

Mr Mweetwa: … and non-controversial, I urge all reasonable hon. Members of Parliament to support it.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Hon. Opposition Members called for a division.

Question that the House urges the Government to lift the wage freeze imposed on the Public Service put and the House voted.

Ayes – (50)

Mr Antonio
Mr Banda
Mr Belemu
Mr Chipungu
Mr Chitafu
Dr Chituwo
Mrs Chungu
Mr Habeenzu
Mr Hamusonde
Ms Imenda
Mr Kafwaya
Dr Kaingu
Dr Kalila
Ms Kalima
Mr Katambo
Mr Katuka
Mr Kunda
Mr Livune
Mr Lombanya
Ms Lubezhi
Mr Lufuma
Mr Malama
Mr Mbewe
Mr Mbulakulima
Mr Milambo
Mr Miyanda
Mr Miyutu
Mr Mooya
Mr Mtolo
Mr Mufalali
Mr Mulomba
Mr Muntanga
Dr Musokotwane
Mr Mutati
Mr Mutelo
Mr Mwanza
Mr Mweetwa
Mr Mwiimbu
Mr Ndalamei
Mr L.J. Ngoma
Mr Nkombo
Mr Ntundu
Mr Pande
Mr P. Phiri
Mr Shakafuswa
Rev. Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha
Mr Sianga
Mr Simbao
Mr Simfukwe
Mr Sing’ombe

Noes – (81)

Mrs Banda
Mr N. Banda
Mr Bwalya
Col Chanda
Mr Chansa
Mr Chenda
Mr Chikwanda
Mr Chilangwa
Dr Chilufya
Mr Ching’imbu
Mr Chisala
Mr Chishimba
Mr Chisopa
Mr Chitotela
Mr Chungu
Mr Evans
Ms Kabanshi
Mr Kalaba
Mr Kambwili
Mr Kampyongo
Ms Kansembe
Ms Kapata
Brig-Gen. Kapaya
Mr Kapeya
Mr Kapyanga
Dr Kasonde
Dr Katema
Mrs Kawandami 
Mr Kazabu
Ms Kazunga 
Mr Kosamu
Mr Kufuna
Ms Limata
Mr Lingweshi
Mr Lubinda
Dr E. Lungu
Col. J. Lungu
Prof. Luo
Mr Mabumba
Mr M. H. Malama
Mrs Masebo
Mr Matafwali
Mr Mbulu
Mr Monde
Mrs Mphande
Mr Mpundu
Mr Mubukwanu
Mr Mukanga
Mr Mulenga
Mr Mumba
Mr Mushanga    
Mr Musonda
Mr Musukwa
Mr Mutale
Dr Mwali
Mr Mwaliteta
Mr Mwango
Mr Mwenya
Mr Mwewa
Mr Mwila 
Ms Ngimbu
Mr P. Ngoma
Mr Ng’onga
Mr Njeulu 
Dr Phiri
Mr Sampa
Dr Scott
Mr Shamenda
Mr Siamunene
Mr Sichinga
Mr Sichone
Mr Sichula
Mr Sikazwe
Dr Simbyakula
Mr Simuusa
Mr Tembo
Prof. Willombe
Mrs Wina
Mr Yaluma
Mr Zimba
Mr Zulu

Abstentions – 0

Question accordingly negatived.

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS 19 AND 20

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that Standing Orders 19 and 20 be suspended to enable the House to sit from 0900 hours until business is concluded tomorrow, Thursday, 23rd October, 2014, to afford hon. Members the opportunity to travel to their various constituencies countrywide in order to participate in the Independence Jubilee Celebrations. 

Mr Speaker, I think that this Motion is self evident. Many of the activities, including those that will be in the main stadium, the National Heroes Stadium, will have actually begun tomorrow afternoon by the time that this House normally sits. Furthermore, I am sure that all hon. Members, even those that are defective in one endowment or another, would actually like to be in their constituencies to celebrate the fact that Zambia, and not the Patriotic Front (PF), the United Party for National Development (UPND) or the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), is fifty years old, and is still alive and kicking.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Let me indicate that this is a straightforward Motion for Suspension of Standing Orders 19 and 20. So, let us, please, ensure that if we speak, it should be under a minute or two minutes.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, I treasure your counsel. This Motion to suspend Standing Orders 19 and 20 may appear non-controversial to the naked eye. 

Mr Speaker, in my view, there is more to this Motion than meets the eye. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: It is for that reason that standing on my feet this evening, I want to be on record as having opposed this Motion to lift Standing Orders 19 and 20 to permit those who wish to go to their constituencies to attend the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee.

Mr Speaker, time and again, we have said that we, from this side of the divide, are not taking part in the Golden Jubilee Celebrations but, instead, we are going to commemorate the lives that were lost during the fight for liberation. There are too many to mention but, to mention a few, we have our own first President, Dr Kenneth David Kaunda, mwana mudaala, Mr Grey Zulu, Mr Godwin Mbikusita Lewanika, Mr Lawrence Katilungu, Mr Harry Nkumbula, Mr Mungoni Liso, Mama Chibesa Kankasa, Dr Vernon Johnson Mwaanga, our own hon. Minister of Finance, Hon. Alexander Bwalya Chikwanda and Mama Mary Fulano.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

This is a procedural Motion, and I have already given guidance. I hope you can quickly wind up your debate.

Mr Nkombo: Sir, the guidance was extremely clear. The Standing Orders, which I have here, are also very clear. 

Laughter 

Mr Nkombo: It is now my wish to extrapolate for the people to understand why I am opposing this Motion. 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: First and foremost, hypocrisy does not have any disguise. 

Mr Habeenzu: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: The Motion to allow hon. Members of Parliament an opportunity to go to their constituencies and participate in the celebrations is clear. 

Mr Speaker, you know as much as I do that we all come from various constituencies. 

Dr Kaingu: Very far!

Mr Nkombo: I will take Isoka as an example. 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 Hon. Member for Mazabuka Central, I said, and I think that I was very clear, …

Mr Shakafuswa interjected.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Hon. Member for Katuba, take leave. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Shakafuswa left the Assembly Chamber.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

I hope that those on appropriate committees will take note of that. Hon. Member for Mazabuka Central, you may wind up. 

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, not to defy you, I have not even begun to give my reasons for refusing to suspend the Standing Orders. I hope that you will allow me to quickly give them. The reason I, Garry Nkombo, say no to meeting at 0900 hours tomorrow as against meeting at the usual time of 1430 hours is, first and foremost, that Zambia is meant to be a buoyant democracy at fifty. 

However, today, under this Patriotic Front (PF) Government, I can assure you that we have a stunted democracy that gives us no reason …

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Mr Nkombo: … to celebrate. 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Hon. Member, I said that your debate should be under a minute and I think that I was very clear. This is a procedural Motion. 

His Honour the Vice-President, wind up debate. 

Interruptions 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank Hon. Garry Nkombo …

Laughter 

The Vice-President: … for his …

Mr Livune: Question!

The Vice-President: … lucid, and somewhat incapacitated interventions. 

I so move, Sir. 

Hon. Opposition Members called for a division.

Question, that Standing Orders 19 and 20 be suspended to enable the House to sit from 0900 hours until business has been concluded on Thursday, 23rd October, 2014, to afford hon. Members the opportunity to travel to their various constituencies countrywide in order to participate in the Independence Jubilee Celebrations put and the House voted.

Ayes – (81)

Mrs E. Banda 
Mr N. Banda    
Mr Bwalya 
Mr Chanda
Mr Chansa
Mr Chenda
Mr Chikwanda
Mr Chilangwa
Dr Chilufya
Mr Ching’imbu
Mr Chisala
Mr Chishimba
Mr Chisopa
Mr Chitotela
Mr Chungu
Mr Evans
Ms Kabanshi
Mr Kalaba
Mr Kambwili
Mr Kampyongo
Ms Kansembe
Ms Kapata
Mr Kapaya
Mr Kapeya
Mr Kapyanga
Dr Kasonde
Dr Katema
Mrs Kawandami
Mr Kazabu
Ms Kazunga
Mr Kosamu
Mr Kufuna
Ms Limata 
Mr Lingweshi
Mr Lubinda
Dr E. Lungu
Prof Luo
Mr Mabumba
Mr Mwimba H. Malama 
Mrs Masebo
Mr Matafwali
Mr Mbulu
Mr Monde
Mrs Mphande
Mr Mpundu
Mr Mubukwanu
Mr Mukanga
Mr Mulenga 
Mr Mumba
Mr Munkombwe
Mr Mushanga
Mr Musonda
Mr Musukwa
Mr Mutale
Dr Mwali
Mr Mwaliteta
Mr Mwango
Mr Mwenya
Mr Mwewa
Mr Mwila
Ms Ngimbu
Mr P. Ngoma
Mr Ng’onga
Mr Njeulu
Dr Phiri
Mr Sampa
Dr Scott
Mr Shamenda
Mr Siamunene
Mr Sichinga 
Mr Sichone 
Mr Sichula 
Mr Sikazwe 
Mr Simbyakula
Mr Simuusa
Mr Tembo
Professor Willombe
Mrs Wina
Mr Yaluma
Mr Zimba
Mr Zulu

Noes – (10)

Mr W. Banda
Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo
Ms Imenda
Dr Kaingu
Mr Kunda
Mr Mutati
Ms Namugala
Mr Pande
Rev. Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha
Mr Simbao

Abstentions – (0)

Question accordingly agreed to.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

ADJOURNMENT

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

The House adjourned at 1914 hours until 0900 hours on Thursday, 23rd October, 2014.