By JOHN SAKALA
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is imploring government to bail out Zampost.
This follows reports that workers at the state owned enterprise have gone for five months without pay.
NDC acting Spokesperson Misheck Moyo said the advent of information technologies has affected the operations of most postal agencies worldwide.
Mr Moyo has imploredhe Zampost board to come up with a viable survival plan to ensure the smooth running of the company.
“The Zampost board should work closely with the Industrial Development Corporation IDC in discussing and formulating such a survival strategy for the firm. We sympathize with the plight of Zampost employees who are going through extremely trying times.
“The problems at Zampost are severe. Our position is that the firm be restructured at top management level. But we are concerned that Zampost management has not been remitting statutory obligations for its employees to NAPSA and other statutory agencies. Worst still, Zampost management has failed to pay retirees their outstanding dues,” he said.
He said government should consider undertaking a detailed financial forensic audit at Zampost.
Mr Moyo said the forensic audit can include a probe into the alleged disappearance of monies disbursed to the firm in 2014 to pay retirees.
“In discussing the operations of state owned firms, we are also concerned with the plight of workers at the Times of Zambia and National Housing Authority NHA. Workers at the two firms have gone for months without salaries. This is unfair and unfortunate.
“Government should consider bringing private players on board to partner with the two firms. The problems at the two institutions are seemingly as a result of Gross Mismanagement and bad institutional administration. It is our considered view that Government considers dissolving the management boards at the two firms. Times of Zambia and NHA can operate as viable entities under the right management,” he said.
