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Cabinet Increases Retirement Age from 55yrs to 65 yrs, ZFE Disappointed With PF Govt
The Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) says it has received Cabinet’s decision to increase the retirement age from 55 to 65-years with shock.
Speaking to QFM News, ZFE Executive Director Harrington Chibanda says it is sad that the views expressed by the labour movement on the issue earlier have not been considered.
Mr. Chipanda says the Zambia Federation of Employers together with the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) was against the idea of increasing the retirement because government failed to come up with convincing reasons for doing so.
He notes that the matter is in the technical report of the constitution making process and was supposed to be discussed by Zambians so that they agree whether the retirement age should be increased or not.
Mr. Chibanda says government’s decision to increase the retirement age without the issue being conclusively debated by the Zambian people lives one wondering whose interest government is serving.
He adds that government should have waited for the consultative process by the labour movement who represent the interest of the workers, and had initially opposed the increase in the retirement age.
Mr. Chibanda points out that an employee is more productive below the age of fifty five, stating that issue of health start coming in above that age which may make them not to be so effective in carrying out their responsibilities.
He says he is aware that government is looking at the whole issue from the angle of delaying the payment of pension benefits so that the money still remains in the economy in the pension schemes.
Mr Chibanda has further stressed that the implications are so many hence government should have left it to the people themselves to decide.
He since urged government to consult stakeholders on critical issues.
Posted by Editor (online)
on May 31, 2013. Filed under LATEST NEWS.
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Sara
May 31, 2013 at 4:47 pm
I feel if retirement age was optional; those who still had energy at 55 could go ahead to retire at 65. But for those who may not, let them retire at 55. Unlike the trend now, we see that most nurses, teachers after retirement prefer to be re-engaged on contract! What does this imply?
derick
May 31, 2013 at 4:57 pm
surely this sad in that the youths will b disadvantaged due to old timers holding on to position
Mundia M
May 31, 2013 at 5:03 pm
Most likely this will have no impact in private companies as the companies will ask anybody who turns 55 to opt for retirement and most people would rather leave except those who got their jobs in their late 40′s.
genius
May 31, 2013 at 5:36 pm
it’s a brilliant idea.most retired teachers are either in community schools or private schools.It’s betterof in government.
casim
May 31, 2013 at 5:55 pm
Genius is that why you call your self genius? come on its better retired teachers or government workers get jobs in private sectors so that they pave way for the young ones, is it because you are accerating in age and you are scared that you will suffer before you get your benefits.
Muzungu Wanga
May 31, 2013 at 6:10 pm
Nothing’s wrong with that. All Zambia’s neighbours retire workers at 65.
Pidolix
June 1, 2013 at 5:19 pm
How old are you?
kakolwe
May 31, 2013 at 6:41 pm
Oh Nooo! I was even grooming 2 ladies & a young man to take over from me soon! Now, sorry baice, you are assured of being called ‘FUTURE LEADERS’ for, at least, an added 10 yrs! More govt fuel in my pickup!
Democrat
May 31, 2013 at 6:48 pm
awe sure!! kuwayawayafye!! so for me to be promoted kanofye ulya njikwite ngaafwa? its really bad, youths will become destitutes.
gunda
May 31, 2013 at 7:00 pm
A clever strategy to divert pension money for “development” to sustain hold on to power.Only the strong will survive this onslaught.Let it be optional! What is wrong with current arrangement?
Akaice ne fimina
May 31, 2013 at 8:10 pm
ZCTU must protect the interests of workers irrespective of age. That’s what they are paid for. And what is ZFE doing on this platform? Since when is GRZ their member? If you have no work, declare yourselves obsolete. You are wasting money.
mik
May 31, 2013 at 8:49 pm
Life- span had reduced, hence many people will not manage to get their benefits, at 65yrs!!!. Its would be better to reduce it giving chances to young ones with FRESHBLOOD. In reality, can a 60yrs man work well in indusrtly than a 30yrs man?let some one retire with remaining power for using at his farm.
nshilimubemba
May 31, 2013 at 9:16 pm
Most people in zambian are better of in paid jobs and live longer than when they retire early they end up diying just after 55 with this encrease they will be living up to may be 70. Which is better to see grand children
Akaice ne fimina
May 31, 2013 at 11:29 pm
@mik, why do you like assigning retirees to do farming? It’s more strenuous and frastrating and sends people to an early grave. Retirees need not work anymore. They need to relax and chew their money as they await death. That way they live longer.
FuManchu
June 1, 2013 at 3:53 am
You’re right, relax and chew money but to get the money retirees are entitled to is another nightmare! The long frustrating wait ends up killing them.
Musukwa Kanjere
June 1, 2013 at 10:59 am
Retirees at UNZA wait up to 6 years to receive their money.So 65 plus 6 gives 71years will you be of good health late alone be alive? just asking!
Toka
June 1, 2013 at 12:38 am
Make it optional. If one reaches 55years he can retire but should one decide to continue let him continue. However if one was in administrative position he drop from that position. Let another person take over. If he was a teacher, let him go to class to teach, if he cannot perform there, then he should take his pension. This should apply even those in health.
Why people hope to get re-employed is because one was not prepared to retire let alone the pension money is so little that it cannot sustain the person after retirement. The waste part is that this money comes after so many years of waiting. Some have not even received this pension money.
Pidolix
June 1, 2013 at 5:28 pm
No retirement should be compulsory at 55. There is a reason for this. And it is strait forward if no selfishness crops in.
jizzyb92
June 1, 2013 at 7:51 am
Consider yourselves lucky.In the UK they’re trying to raise it to 70.
Retirement Phiri
June 1, 2013 at 1:47 pm
I have been a supporter PF govt in such a way that I pretended to ignore some of illogical economic agenda but for the retirement age that is total nonsense.
-First our life span is almost half 65 years
-Second one PF wants the initial 10 years in office only a few people will get their package from NAPSA this is one of the condition of much praised Euro-bond; which also includes the removal of subsidy on meal-mealie and fuel.
-Thirdly since our life span is half the proposed retirement package then only less 15% will make it; worsen still 10% of the 15% will use their benefits before reaching 80 years. [Eg out of 1,000,000 people only 150,000 will get their dues and 15000 will reach 80 year with their dues]
- Four bit-by-bit NAPSA will be worsen than under MMD as the Shamenda said they are going to review the retirement package for the better
Hint: When the Minister of Labour said BETTER it means WORSEN to the electorate