Govt directs security firms to pay all outstanding salary arrears owed employees

Government has directed security firms to clear all outstanding salary arrears owed to their employees before October 31, failure to which the Employment Code Act would be invoked.

Ministry of Labour and Social Security Labour Commission, Givens Muntengwa, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Lusaka.

Muntengwa expressed concern over the number of employees, especially in the security sector who had gone for months without being paid their monthly dues.

He warned that such companies risked being suspended while employees remain on full pay.

Muntengwa said it was essential to ensure that employers operate in accordance with the labour laws to protect the rights and well being of its employees.

“You may wish to note that labour laws are designed to establish a fair and equitable working environment for employees across various industries, including the security sector,” he said.

Muntengwa said section 66 of the Employment Code Act Number 3 of 2019 provided for when wages are due and payable.

“For avoidance of doubt subsection 2 of the the Act provides that “the wages of an employee shall fall due and be paid at regular intervals not later than the fifth day following the date on which they fall due under,” Muntengwa said.

He said subsection (1) stated that in view of the provisions of the law, it was mandatory for employers to pay wages as and when they fall due at regular intervals not later than the fifth day following the due date.

Muntengwa said failure to pay wages in accordance with law empowers the Labour Commission under section 10 (5) of the Employment Code Act to charge an administrative penalty.

“The empowers the Labour Commission to come up with such interventions so as to ensure compliance, or suspend operations of the company while employees shall remain on full pay,” he said.

Muntengwa urged employers to comply with the provisions of the law by settling all salary arrears.

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