. Dr Scott

By REBECCA MUSHOTA and DELPHINE ZULU –
GOVERNMENT will not implement the adjustment of the retirement age from 55 to 65 years, as consultations are still on-going.
Acting President Guy Scott said yesterday in a statement that Government had heard the views being expressed by unions and other stakeholders and has instituted consultations so that a consensus is reached.
“Government has listened to the views being expressed by unions and other stakeholders regarding the issue of retirement age. Government will not act unilaterally on matters of such importance and sensitivity,” Dr Scott said.
He said a number of labour related issues had come up during campaigns which included the retirement age and the wage freeze.
On the wage freeze, so far some public sector unions such as those in the local authorities have already had their conditions reviewed and for other unions, the process was on-going and in progress.
Dr Scott also said because the PF was a listening Government, it had decided to review issues of dismissed nurses on a case by case basis for a long time now.
So far, 317 nurses that appealed earlier had already been re-engaged, while letters of re-engagement for the remaining ones have also been processed.
However, Dr Scott said, Government still stood by its decision not to tolerate indiscipline in the public service.
Government had also agreed with Lumwana Mine that was opposing the new mining tax regime to submit proposals on how much tax was applicable for them to remain operational.
Dr Scott reiterated that Government had invested heavily in the road sector development which has opened up the country to both rural and urban investment opportunities.
The private sector should therefore set up more businesses countrywide and employ more people since doing business in Zambia had been made easier after Government invested heavily in developing roads in both rural and urban areas.
Meanwhile, Dr Scott and visiting Kenyan Vice-President William Ruto yesterday joined orphans at Kasisi where they had lunch with the children.
Dr Scott and Mr Ruto, who were accompanied by their wives Charlotte and Rachael, said it was a joyous and memorable way of welcoming 2015.
Mr Ruto and his family have since donated US$20,000 to Kasisi Orphanage and expressed happiness that they were taken to a place where life was treasured.
“I thought it was going to be a private lunch the time Dr Scott accepted us to visit him, I am so humbled that you brought us here and enjoy lunch with these humble children, my wife and I will give these beautiful children $20,000 proceeds from our small farm, hope it will help towards feeding them in 2015,” he said.
Mr Ruto, who was on holiday, said Zambia and the African continent had hope that with consented efforts, there could be meaningful change.
The children might be disadvantaged in one way but they should not worry because they had shelter, education and food.
Mr Ruto said he would help to market Zambia and Kenyan tourism products as one package
“In Zambia we have walked with lions….so wonderful we have seen beautiful wonders in Zambia, we shall help explore the tourism experienced here,” he said.
Dr Scott said he considered to end 2014 by having lunch with orphans at Kasisi.