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The Movement for Restoration of Education and Teachers Affairs in Zambia (MORETA Zambia) has petitioned Parliament to address loopholes in the Industrial and Labour Relations Act that have enabled the unchecked proliferation of teacher unions.
MORETA Zambia Executive Director, Dr. Sam Mbumba, accused some unions of exploiting the Act to introduce deductions on teachers’ payslips without their consent.
Speaking at a media briefing held at Long Acres Lodge in Lusaka on Friday, Mbumba described the situation as a matter of public interest, urging legal reforms to protect vulnerable employees from what he termed “vulture unions.”
He explained that the organization had petitioned the Speaker of the National Assembly regarding Chapter 269, Section 5, Subsection (1)(A) of the Act, which grants teachers the right to participate in forming unions.
Mbumba argued that gaps in this provision have led to its misuse, resulting in the establishment of unions driven by selfish motives rather than service to teachers.
“Some people have developed an uncontrollable appetite for unionism, creating unions for their own gain instead of addressing the needs of Zambian teachers,” Mbumba stated.
He alleged that this trend had significantly impacted employee performance, with teachers’ payslips burdened by unauthorized deductions from multiple unions.
“The payslips have become a playground for deductions, often without employee consent, in clear violation of the law,” he added.
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In its petition, MORETA Zambia called on Parliament to revisit the Act, proposing measures to strengthen regulatory oversight. Key recommendations included:
1. Increasing registration fees for new unions.
2. Establishing a dedicated regulatory board to oversee trade union activities, separate from the Labour Commissioner.
Mbumba stressed the urgency of the reforms, stating, “The law must safeguard employees and ensure unions operate with integrity and transparency.”
The petition has sparked debate on the effectiveness of current labour laws and the need for stricter regulations to curb exploitation within the education sector.
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