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Zambia suspends extension of work permits for expatriate workers

Xinhua, February 3, 2017 Adjust font size:

The Zambian government on Thursday announced the suspension of conditional work permits for expatriate workers in order to reorganize the system and empower the country's own skilled workers.

Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo was speaking at the country's embassy in South Africa when he addressed workers, according to a statement released by the embassy.

The statement added that the system had been abused as some unscrupulous Zambians were conniving with some investors beyond the stipulated period of the permits.

According to him, the work permits were given to expatriate workers by investors in order to train local people.

A committee has since been put in place to reorganize the system to ensure that the abuse of the work permits was eradicated, he added.

The measure was also meant to increase the availability of job opportunities and empower Zambians who were able to take up such positions given to expatriate workers.

"The renewal of work permits for expatriates would remain suspended while a framework that would benefit Zambians was being devised," he said.

"We have talked about empowering Zambians for a long time and it's now time we were practical. We must walk the talk. It is so unfortunate that we have had some Zambians colluding with investors and in the process disadvantaging skilled Zambians," he added.

The government, he pointed out, consulted with all stakeholders before making the decision. Endit