STEVEN MVULA, Lusaka
PENSIONERS who worked for three private companies have petitioned President Lungu through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to intervene in their matter in which they are owed K22 million 19 years after leaving employment.
The pensioners led by Chipasha Chipalo presented the petition to Labour Commissioner Chanda Kaziya in Lusaka on Tuesday.
They were employed by BP Zambia, Barclays Bank and Standard Chartered Bank.
“We are slowly being tortured to death by our former employers and we strongly believe that it is the duty of the government to ensure that the lives and rights of every Zambian are protected from corporate greed,” Mr Chipalo said.
He called for the setting up of a commission of inquiry into private pension fund management.
Mr Chipalo said there is need to review laws with the aim of prosecuting anyone found engaging in fraudulent activities in the management of pension benefits.
“We also appeal for the establishment of a special court to resolve all pension matters pending before the Zambian judiciary within a specific period of time,” Mr Chipalo said.
He said Government should examine ways to recover stolen pension funds from scheme sponsors, fund managers and directors of companies.
He said there were over 5,000 pensioners languishing because their money had not been paid and that 489 had died since the matter went to court.
And a widow and mother of four Priscilla Mwaanga whose husband died in 2003, broke down while asking the Labour Commissioner why Government had not intervened.
In response, Mr Kaziya said he would take the petition to the Minister of Labour and Social Security Joyce Simukoko for onward transmission to the President.
“Your plight is moving. We have taken note of the urgency of this matter and it shall be treated as such,” Mr Kaziya said.