By staff analyst
Government has increased salaries for local authorities’ employees across the board by 12%. This is on the back of the country experiencing a double digit inflation rate, with the move expected to help workers maintain their purchasing power.
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary-Technical Services Wisdom Bwalya said the increment is meant to ensure that Local Authorities, among other things, maintain a positive work environment that boosts employee morale, retention and productivity.
Bwalya reiterated that Government is committed to improving the welfare of employees as demonstrated by the award of the said 12 % Salary increment amidst hard times. “I now challenge the Local Authorities’ employees to reciprocate this gesture by working hard to improve service delivery to the people,” Mr Bwalya said.
The PS said the 2022 improved salaries/wages and conditions of service will be financed using the 2022 Local Government Equalisation Fund and locally generated revenues. He has since directed principal officers of Local Authorities to develop strategies to improve revenue collection to provide satisfactory services to communities and raise resources to pay salaries/wages on time.
Local Authorities, and Zambia United Local Authorities Workers Union (ZULAWU) and Fire Services Union of Zambia (FIRESUZ) concluded negotiations for the 2022 improved Salaries/Wages and Conditions of service for Local Authorities employees. The negotiations, for the employees in Division II, III and IV, were held from 27th January to 5th February, 2022 in Lusaka.
