By Scoop Reporter
THE huge debt that we have is making it hard for workers to be paid well and on time, National Democratic Congress (NDC) president Chishimba Kambwili has said.
Mr. Kambwili has told The Scoop in a statement that currently, Zambia’s debt stands at US $19.3 billion with external debt accounting for a staggering US $11.2 billion while domestic debt has risen to US $6.2 billion.
He says added to that are domestic areas totaling US $1.89 billion and that as a country with such a heavy tax burden, it is difficult to survive because all the money is now going to servicing loans.
He says the selfishness of the Patriotic Front Government has seen them increase their own salaries exponentially at the expense of the ordinary Zambians.
“When I was leaving government, ministers were getting K18, 000, but they are now getting over K90, 000 per month. Now, tell me the percentage of salary increments they have given to the ordinary workers.
“Even unions are being threatened with dismissals as we saw with UNZA and yet it’s their job to speak for workers,” Mr. Kambwili said.
He has expressed concern at the way workers are being treated in the country and says whatever they are going through should not worry them as their conditions of service would be improved once they vote for the NDC in 2021.
“The workers are going through a lot and they are not respected, valued or well paid. However, they should know that despite what they are going through, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that is 2021 when we form Government.
“They saw what I did when I was Labour Minister and I shall do more when I become president,’ he said.
