Unionised council employees in Eastern Province have joined their colleagues in the countrywide strike.
A check by Breeze News at Chipata Municipal Council this morning, found offices deserted, with only a few senior employees seen working.
Zambia United Local Authority Workers Union ZULAWU District Branch Secretary, Cyprian Phiri says that the workers have gone on strike due to the two months delayed salaries.
Mr. Phiri also says that the workers are not happy with the lack of sensitivity to issues affecting them by Local Government Minister, Emerine Kabashi.
According to media reports, Ms. Kabashi says that councils will not receive grants from government to pay salaries this year and that any worker threatening to go on strike risks being dismissed from work.
And in Lundazi District, Breeze FM Staffer, Mtambwa Nkhoma reports that operations at Lundazi District Council have ground to a halt after the workers downed tools this morning.
District ZULAWU, Chairperson, Jones Nyirenda says that the workers have downed tools citing poor conditions of service and delayed salary payment.
Mr. Nyirenda also stated that the September salary increment for civil servants has not benefited council employees despite being under the civil service.
Council Treasurer, Mable Engaenga refused to comment and referred all queries to the Council Secretary, Magubu Simunkolomba, who was not in the office.
Meanwhile in Chadiza District, Breeze FM Staffer, Paul Phiri reports that ZULUWU District Chairperson Sunick Mwansa says that the unionised workers are demanding to be put on government payroll because the local authority is failing to pay salaries on time.
The workers, who have closed all the offices, have vowed not to return to work until government addresses the issues affecting them.
And in Petauke district, Breeze FM Staffer, Mercy Maseko reports that the workers have dumped the dust bins and other working tools outside the offices.
Unionised Council workers in Eastern Province have gone on strike over poor working conditions.
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