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Patriotic Front (PF) Kanchibiya Member of Parliament, Sunday Chanda, has accused Zambia’s trade union leaders of prioritising membership growth over the protection of workers’ rights and welfare.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday, Chanda said while expanding union rolls may look impressive on paper, it was meaningless if members continued to face exploitation, poor working conditions, and unjust treatment.
“True leadership is not measured by the size of your membership but by the strength of your advocacy,” Chanda stated.
He lamented that Zambia’s working class was under immense strain, citing crippling indebtedness, stagnant wages, a rising cost of living, exploitative workplaces, job insecurity, and weak enforcement of labour laws.
“Teachers, nurses, miners, and factory workers alike are struggling to survive while their voices go unheard,” he said.
Chanda said many workers felt abandoned by the very institutions meant to defend them, and called on union leaders to rediscover their core mandate.
“Workers are crying out for bold, principled, and fearless representation—not silence in the face of abuse and systemic neglect,” he said.
He challenged union leaders to rise to the occasion, become proactive, and reclaim their role as the true voice of the Zambian worker.
“The era of passive unionism must end. Workers deserve more than subscriptions—they deserve protection, empowerment, and dignity,” Chanda stated.
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