UPND demands audit of EIZ members qualifications
By Staff Reporter
OPPOSITION United Party for National Development (UPND) has demanded an audit of qualifications for all Engineers Institute of Zambia (EIZ) members in order to protect jobs that can be done by Zambians, especially on the mines.
In a statement to newsdayzambia.com UPND chairperson for mines and freedom fighters, Percy Chanda urged EIZ to audit all those employed under the practice of engineering on the mines including contractors so that it was easier for any responsible government to implement the equal pay for equal work.
He reminded EIZ to broaden the audit to all those recognised in the Act, which include engineers, technologists, technicians and artisans so that qualified people were appointed to the right positions.
Chanda expressed shock that some mining firms still employed ill-qualified people who assumed very senior positions and ultimately frustrate the people that are more qualified and competent to enhance production.
“I’m yet to come across a Zambian physics teacher employed anywhere in the World as a Metallurgical engineer running a smelter as a manager and yet we have such cases here in Zambia. UPND will work very closely with the EIZ so that all qualification papers are scrutinized properly before one is issued with a work permit. We know this is too complicated for PF, who only specialize in dancing Dununa reverse which they dance like mad people. This carelessness has robed Zambians of jobs,” said Chanda
Chanda recalls how the UNIP government had a policy shift to allow qualified Zambians get appointments to senior positions.
“Zambians were fed up of being supervised by people with inferior or no qualifications. This forced the UNIP Government to come up with a policy of Zambianization. This somehow created room for qualified Zambians to rise in their jobs depending on one’s qualifications,” he stated.
Chanda, however, said the policy shift did not address the inequality in places of work as some employees holding similar jobs were getting more pay than others based on other considerations.
“It’s very shameful that even after the law was enacted and EIZ created, this kind of behaviour is still going on in our midst. What’s wrong with us? EIZ should audit all its members from Engineers to Artisans on all the mines. We have had enough of this nonsense on the mines. Once this audit is done, let the EIZ publish its findings for the public to see how many jobs have ended up in wrong hands. We cannot continue with business as usual,” he said
