Workers in Kitwe district are urging the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management (ZIHRM), a professional organisation established under ACT No.3 of 2022, to conduct impromptu inspections at private companies in the Copperbelt Province following alleged workplace abuses.
In interviews with Flava News, workers shared their grievances, detailing their experiences with certain companies in Kitwe district. They reported being subjected to long working hours without days off or leave, and strict restrictions on carrying phones at work.
Additionally, they lamented the lack of proper personal protective equipment (PPE), being forced to work in plastic shoes known as “Bolingos,” and receiving inadequate pay, with the highest earners reportedly receiving K2, 500.
Expressing disappointment with the treatment from Human Resources Managers, workers claimed that non-Zambian supervisors are treated differently, likening the situation to a lack of independence in the country. They highlighted unfair dismissal practices for missing work and raised concerns about grueling shift schedules, with night shifts spanning from 18:00 hours to 07:00 hours, and day shifts from 06:00 hours to 19:00 hours.
Workers described their experiences as worrisome and shocking, emphasising the need for ZIHRM to intervene and ensure a positive workplace environment for employees in private companies. They voiced concerns over perceived inequality and called for equal treatment and fair labour practices.
