The strike by unionised council workers in Eastern Province has entered the second day.
Zambia United Local Authority Workers Union ZULAWU Chipata District Branch Chairperson, Cyprian Phiri says that the workers will not return to work despite assurance from Local Government Minister, Emerine Kabanshi Thursday morning that the workers will be paid.
Mr. Phiri says that the workers want their salaries to be deposited in their bank accounts before calling off the strike action.
And in Lundazi district, a check by Breeze News at the Civics Centre Thursday morning found that none of the unionised workers have reported for work.
Senior officers were also conspicuously missing with only the assistant council treasurer found in the office.
The strike action has affected all council run businesses in the district while service delivery has equally been affected.
And Breeze FM Staffer, Gift Phiri reports from Nyimba district that council workers, who joined the countrywide strike on Wednesday were found seated outside the offices.
Zambia United Local Authority Workers Union ZULAWU District Branch Chairperson, Mundia Akenda says workers will continue with the industrial action until their demands are met.
The strike has affected service delivery as toilets at Nyimba Market are closed. Market Committee Secretary, Kondwani Nyirenda says people who collect garbage have been ordered to stop.
And in Petauke District, council workers have revealed that they have not been paid salaries for almost eight months unlike their colleagues who have not been paid for two months.
The council workers, who downed tools yesterday, are among other things demanding to be paid their outstanding salaries and other improved conditions of service.