UNZA WORKERS DEMAND NOTHING LESS THAN K250 MILLION FROM GOVERNMENT

 

The three trade unions at the University of Zambia namely the university of Zambia lectures and Researchers' union, the university of Zambia professional staff union and the university of zambia Allied workers union has rejected the K50 million offer by government and has demanded that government find atleast K250 million to partially satisfy their demands.

Speaking on behalf of the three trade unions  in Lusaka on Friday ,UNZAPROSU President Likezo Pumulo has noted that very few of their members have benefited from the 20% partial withdrawal due to debt.

" NAPSA at K265 million unremitted contributions: money deducted from our members' salaries plus the employer contributions that have never been remitted to NAPSA to enable our members to benefit from the NAPSA pension scheme very few of our members have benefited from the 20% partial withdrawal due to this debt," He said.

Mr Pumulo said that it is sad that government responded that it had limited resources to address their demands, citing the drought and energy crisis the nation was experiencing as reasons for their inability to meet their needs halfway.

"The government responded by stating that it had limited resources to address our demands, citing the drought and energy crisis the nation was experiencing as reasons for their inability to meet our needs halfway.however, they announced that they had only obtained K50 million, which would be allocated to Settle outstanding payments for deceased and medical cases, with a few retirees who are no longer serving the University," He explained.

He added that the three unions are determined to commence their protests starting today until their demands are met.

Mr Pumulo said the three unions insist on nothing less than K250 million and a clear roadmap from the government for resolving UNZA indebtedness.

Mr Pumulo said the government is indebted to staff for terminal benefits amounting to K836 million and local superannuation totaling K617 million, in addition to K265 million in contributions to the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) deducted from salaries and employer contributions but not yet paid.