LUSAKA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Zambia on Wednesday joined the rest of the world in commemorating the Labor Day with a call by President Edgar Lungu for workers to enhance productivity.
Held under the theme "Enhancing Productivity and Alleviating Poverty Through The Decent Work Agenda", the main celebrations saw workers from both the public and private sectors marching from the Civic Center to the Freedom Statue in the capital of Lusaka.
In his address during the commemoration, Lungu said the theme was a reminder on the importance of ensuring productivity in all sectors in order to improve the quality of products and services.
"Productivity is an important ingredient as it entails optimum utilization of human resource and other resources for improved outcome," he said.
The president said productivity calls for continuous improvement in workplace for assured quality of products and services as well as continued skills development.
He also said it's important to ensure decent jobs with decent wages and safe workplace, adding that the government was committed to creating a conducive environment to ensure productivity.
However, the Zambian leader admitted that challenges still remain in improving people's working conditions.
Chishimba Nkole, president of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions, said Zambia needs a radical economic transformation strategy to address problems like unemployment and unequal wealth distribution.
He said public workers were facing several challenges such as delayed payment of salaries while other workers faced challenges of inadequate wages for a decent living.
George Okuto, director of the International Labor Organization (ILO) for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique said the ILO would work closely with Zambia in implementing legislation critical to the country's labor sector.
During the event, workers from various sectors, including the 20th Chinese medical team, were awarded for their contributions. The Chinese medical team was awarded for the best medical care.
