By Dorothy Chisi  –

As l moved around the shops in the City of Lusaka during the week, l witnessed a big number of Government institutions, private organisations, non governmental organisations and individuals getting various merchandise for rewarding their workers.
It made me wonder and really take a step to think about how important this day is to a worker towards development.
It is an annual event that is commemorated every year among the working community around the world. This day is referred to as the Labour Day, whilst some countries refer to it as the May Day or workers’ day, although some do not celebrate it on May 1, but on any other date in the year.
From the Catholic Christian, the day is remembered as St Joseph the worker and hence its significant to every labourer. This is because of his carpentry working in wood, stone and metal and other variety of jobs.
As Zambia joins the rest of some states that remember this important and noble day, what are some of the factors that we have to look at? Is this day worth commemorating and who is to participate in the commemorations of this day?
With a country which has seen political stability 50 years down the line, some people have found it fitting to always politicise such important days which are not even supposed to be aligned to politics.
Recently, we heard some political leaders who advised some civil servants to abandon this year’s labour day commemoration, which they linked to the bad performance of the economy in the country.
As it is defined, labour involves human resource and it involves both human and mental effort with the aim of creating goods and services. It could be work in a processing industry, manufacturing or in an office in order to serve the people. It could  also be work in order to better the livelihood of other people in different levels of the society and so on and so fourth. The bottom line is that it is all work which needs to be recognised for it involves human beings physically and mentally.
In commemorating the Labour Day, the government, private sector and individuals who engage people to work for them come in to appreciate the efforts which these people put in to keep the economy going in the country.
In the Zambian context, Labour Day is there to help the workers look back on how productive they have been in their assigned task, it is also time for them to see how well they can contribute to the improvement on the provision of goods and services to their different publics.
Many of the times, people who are not working in a particular institution would have at some time found it difficult to access the services they required, and maybe to some extent they may have complained.
As workers in that particular institution how have we managed to make sure that we improve the services and make people appreciate what we offer to them? l believe this is a day for people who have undergone such situations to reflect on best practices.
It could be a mechanic who is assigned to repair vehicles for a company. Maybe because of being tired, at some time you did not maintain the vehicle to its required standard and because of that lives of people were lost as it was not fit to move on the road. Take this time, therefore, on how best you can improve on your work, especially by avoiding to work when you are tired.
In a health institution, workers should reflect on whether they have serviced the communities they work in or de-serviced them. People in some communities mostly rural, have complained of health workers reporting for work drunk and worse still, not being found at all in the health centres. The reflection should be on how relevant they are in their profession and how they can improve.
Thanks to the republican president  Mr Edgar Lungu for observing  that some workers just spend most of their time on social networks. Much as we appreciate the technological advancement, to some, it has made them to drop in the delivery of services. Instead of serving the people, they have most of the times de-serviced them.
Some workers on this particular day are going to receive awards, maybe in the best worker category or outstanding category. But, as you receive that award, are you sure that the award is worth it? Some people will not be rewarded but maybe their contribution is awesome and they sometimes go an extra mile in their work.
To those in-charge of institutions, it is a time to pat your juniors on their backs at least for once for their contribution to the institution. Give rewards meritoriously to your workers so that they are motivated in their discharge of duties.
It is demotivating many times when you are working and not any single day to be commended for what you have done no matter how much effort. Take this time to see what you have never seen in your workers in as much as positivity is concerned towards the development of that institution, department, section or it may be a domestic worker.
The trade union which is a representation of the workers, takes this opportunity to pass on the message to the government on the improvement of the conditions of service of the people who are behind the rise and fall of the economy of the country who are the civil servants.
Annually, different needs arise in as much as the state of the economy is concerned. Salaries of workers need to be adjusted according to the needs. This caters for basic needs like shelter, food, education and health services.
The unions also present to the employing agencies the better practices which agents can apply in order for their employees to continue contributing positively to the development of the nation.
The government of the Republic of Zambia has taken this opportunity of Labour Day to make pronouncements on how it will improve the conditions of workers. It is also an opportunity to encourage and appreciate workers on their contribution towards development in the economy of the country.
As seen, Labour Day envisages alot of aspects varying form workers to its employees. It is, therefore, important for everyone to participate in the deliberation of this important noble day on the Zambian calendar.
Labour Day is not a political activity, so politicking on this important  national day may be retrogressive of the much needed development in the country. It is incumbent upon all well-meaning workers to brace themselves and participate beyond political party lines, thereby taking our country forward.
Worth noting to those who participate in the march pasts is the motivation because they will be in new suits, some if not for the first time, so why boycotting?
Wishing the Zambian working community a more productive year and should continue working hard for the prosperity of mother Zambia.