Zambia railway firm workers locked out for demanding salary hike

Workers at a Zambian government-run railway firm were on Tuesday locked out over dispute concerning improved working conditions.

The over 150 workers of Zambia Railways were not allowed to enter the company premises at the company offices in central Zambia's Kabwe town after a deadlock on improved working conditions.

The workers are demanding a salary increment of 500 Zambian kwacha (about 50 U.S. dollars) across the board, a move opposed by management.

A union official told 5FM radio that negotiations have reached a deadlock after management refused to succumb to the demands by the workers.

Tutwa Ngulube, a ruling party lawmaker for Kabwe constituency, also confirmed that the workers were shocked to find out that the gates at the firm were locked when they reported for work, a move that resulted in the workers protesting.

The lawmaker, who condemned the move, added that it was unfortunate that management decided to lock its workers outside for lawfully demanding better conditions of service.

The lawmaker has since threatened to sue the railway firm on behalf of the workers if it continued with its dictatorial tendencies.

"Zambia Railways Limited in Kabwe this morning has locked its workers outside for lawfully demanding better conditions of service. The company has lost in its profits as a result of alleged company mismanagement. We will sue on their behalf and compel management to negotiate," he said on his Facebook page.

The lawmaker later told other local media that management agreed to open up the gates after a meeting with union representatives. Endit