Labour Ministry says K163,639 redundancy payments for Trussed Timber workers enforced

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security says it has enforced the payment of redundancy packages amounting to K163,639 to 24 employees of Trussed Timber Investments Limited following the company’s abrupt decision to relocate its operations.

Ministry Principal Public Relations Officer, Mwaka Ndawa, said the action followed the company’s notification that it intended to relocate to Eastern Province within three days, prompting affected employees to seek the intervention of the Ministry to secure their exit benefits.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday, Ndawa said the Ministry guided management of the timber processing company on the redundancy process in line with the Employment Code Act to safeguard workers’ rights and entitlements.

“As a result, the company was directed to immediately settle all lawful dues owed to the affected employees,” Ndawa said.

She explained that to ensure no worker was disadvantaged by the short notice of relocation, employees were paid in lieu of notice, December salaries, gratuity and accrued leave days, bringing the matter to an orderly conclusion.

Ndawa urged employers to engage the Office of the Labour Commissioner in good time when contemplating operational changes to ensure compliance with labour laws.

“The Ministry would like to urge employers to engage the office of the Labour Commissioner on time, when contemplating operational changes, in order to ensure lawful processes are followed,” Ndawa stated.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR