By JOHN SAKALA
The labour movement has urged its members to emulate Turkish trade unions by forming a strong partnership with Government to develop the country.
Zambia United Local Authority Workers Union (ZULAWU) General Secretary, Emmanuel Mwinsa said it is gratifying that Turkish trade unions have an extricable relationship with their Government, which has resulted in Turkey recording massive development.
“We have seen the relationship that is between the union and Government here in Turkey, they are inseparable. The union has come to understand the agenda of the party in Government,” he said.
Mr Mwinsa said this when he paid a courtesy call on Zambia’s Ambassador to Turkey, Joseph Chilengi at the official residence in Ankara yesterday.
Mr Mwinsa who was leading a three-member delegation from affiliate unions under the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) was in Turkey to attend the annual congress of the Confederation of Turkish Real Trade Unions (Hak-Is)
He also commended Minister of Local Government Vincent Mwale for implementing reforms to help transform the local Government system.
“We want to see how we can fully utilise the relationship that we have with our Turkish counterparts for the mutual benefit of our two countries because local Government back home has been appreciated as a pillar of development,” Mr Mwinsa said.
The Confederation of Turkish Real Trade Unions has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on co-operation with ZCTU.
“Apart from that, in terms of the applicability of local Government work, there is so much in that Turkish trade unions want to abide by the principles and mandate of local government. And also, in terms of dialogue and engagement, those are the pillars that they have upheld and in terms of the responsiveness to local government, they are largely applying themselves whenever there is need for a service… they are able to provide,” Mr Mwinsa said.
And Dr Chilengi said President Edgar Lungu shares similar aspirations for development with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
He also said it is unfortunate that some opposition political leaders are bent on denting the image of the country to the international community in their pursuit for political power.
He further echoed Mr Mwinsa’s call on trade unions to partner with Government to deliver development to the people.
This is according to the media statement made available by First Secretary for Press at Zambian Embassy in Turkey Jerry Munthali.
