By ANDREW PHIRI-
CIVIL servants in Zambia have been urged to change their work culture and focus on enhancing productivity in the economy.
Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CSAWUZ) general secretary Joy Beene said there was need for civil servants to enhance productivity as their attitude left much to be desired.
Mr Beene said there were complaints from the Government that productivity in the civil service was below the required standards.
He was addressing civil servants during the launch of the CSAWUZ amended constitution at Livingstone General Hospital.
“We are worried as your leaders because some of you report for work under the influence of alcohol. We find it very difficult to protect such people. So if you know that you have taken beer and stay at home, you will be charged for absenteeism,” Mr Beene said.
Mr Beene advised civil servants to consult their union leaders before taking any actions when they felt aggrieved.
He said health workers, who went ahead to protest last year which saw about 600 nurses dismissed, never consulted the unions.
“If you want to demonstrate and protest, work with leaders. The leaders in the last protest were not consulted. People never listened to leaders even when we tried to plead with the workers. So can we discuss these issues before we protest,” Mr Beene said.
He said one of the lessons that were learnt was that there was no solidarity among the workers and the union leaders.
“There was no solidarity in that issue. How do you get solidarity when you insult the people who are supposed to give you solidarity? So let us work together,” Mr Beene said.