Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

Article 12 of the Convention. Regular payment of wages. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its previous comments. According to the Government, the total amount of wage arrears owed to public officers in local councils currently stands at 200 billion kwacha (over US$53 million) affecting 14,500 members of the Zambia Local Authorities Workers’ Union (ZALAWU). The Government adds that 50 billion kwacha have so far been earmarked for the partial settlement of the outstanding wage debt. However, no time schedule for the complete elimination of the debt has been established. While noting the Government’s continuous efforts for the comprehensive reform of the public sector in various aspects such as staff structure and pay scales, the Committee hopes that the Government will accelerate its efforts in order to eliminate the wage debt as soon as possible and to prevent the recurrence of similar practices in the future. It asks the Government to communicate detailed information on any progress made in this regard. It also requests the Government to provide additional explanations regarding the number of affected employees – other than members of the ZALAWU – or other sectors of economic activity experiencing problems of accumulated wage arrears. Furthermore, the Committee would appreciate receiving copies of any decisions the High Court might render concerning the cases filed by the ZALAWU.