… as he says the UPND leader cannot be trusted in handling matters concerning workers
Kafue, 16th June 2021
(SmartEagles)
Former Hotel Catering and Allied Worker’s Union of Zambia President Mubiana Sitwala has demanded for an apology from UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema for mistreating Zambian workers in the hospitality industry.
Speaking at a media briefing in Kafue today, Mr. Sitwala charged that the UPND leader must apologize for attempting to abolish service charge and promoting casualisation.
He stated that the matter concerning abolishing of service charge is real and made workers in the hospitality industry to have sleepless nights.
“As former president we had to fight with all necessary weapons at our disposal. We lobbied, advocated, petitioned relevant authorities,” Mr. Sitwala said.
“When we bring this mater we know what we are highlighting, so that the Zambian hospitality and tourism workers will be ably informed in their choice,” he added.
Mr. Sitwala charged that former labor leaders in the hospitality industry are highly disappointed and disturbed by Hichilema’s silence over an issue of serious importance raised by former branch officials Martin Simumbwe and Jones Mutowa.
The former HCAWUZ President stressed that Hichilema’s silence on the matter is of grave concern as he has no response to the plight of Zambian workers.
“Just like he has no answer to the violence being perpetrated by his own political party even when it happens in full view. Like in the service charge matter HH has no solutions to issues of national significance as evidenced in his lack of capacity to handle workers interest,” he stated.
He has wondered how then Mr. Hichilema can handle national issues when he failed to alleviate the suffering of the hospitality workers in Zambia at the time he served as Board Chairman and Director for Sun International Hotel.
He has since reiterated his call on workers in the hospitality industry not to Vote for HH and his party as he cannot be trusted in handling matters of state concerning Zambian workers but Vote for President Lungu as he has shown interest in improving worker’s condition of service through the introduction of Employment code and banning of casualisation the vice which HH was encouraging at his Sun Hotels.