Trade unions are associations of workers formed to represent their interests and improve their pay and working conditions. Refuse to employ a person on the grounds that he is a member of a union. The years between 1989 and 1991 may be regarded as the period during which the zambia congress of trade unions zctu reached the height of its perceived influence in zambian politics. The zctu was created by the government to replace the former united trade union congress. Teacher unions are a vital stakeholder in education. Trade union roles and attitudes are normally a fluid mixture of support for or. The roles and functions of trade unions business essay with all their faults, trade unions have done more for humanity than any other organization of men that ever existed. Often considered a stakeholder the local community. The industrial and labour relations act arrangement of sections part i preliminary section 1. As zambia joins the rest of the world in commemorating labour day which falls on may 1, our staffer, nkole nkole, looks at the history of the labour movement in the country. Industrial relations system in indonesia indonesia has experienced rapid. This is because a successful, profitable business is good for workers and therefore good for the union and its members.
Trade unions should lobby for universal health coverage for all. Zambia congress of trade unions, trade unions, zambia. Evidence from a tradeunion led intervention in zambia. The role of the trade unions in conditions where poverty, inequality and the lack of rights are rife is to ensure. It is hardly surprising that teachers and their unions are circling the wagons to salvage as much as possible of what they have gained since the 1960s.
Importance of trade union in modern workplace management. May 16, 2012 unions have a wider social role beyond simply the workplace and are essential to the functioning of a healthy democracy. Currently, the zctu represents thirty three 33 affiliated national unions, operating in various sectors of the economy. Trade unions are concentrated in large scale industry sector and in big industrial centers. Although their introduction was generally met with resistance, since their establishment trade unions have been important agents of social change worldwide. The genesis of trade unionism in zambia dates back to the time of the start of mining on the copperbelt after huge deposits of copper were discovered in the region in the 1920s leading to. It also has some of the strongest unions in the world, and that includes its teachers unions. Currently, there are three main trade unions in the mining sector, mine workers union of zambia muz, national union of miners and allied workers numaw and the united mine workers union of zambia umuz. These two federations at times unite to strengthen the workers sociopolitical representation and the labour union movement on the whole. Pdf trade union effectiveness in zambia harrison kaunda. The role and influence of trade unions in the oecd david g.
History of trade unionism in zambia zambia daily mail. The increasing casualisation of labour forces trade unions globally to deal with a growing number of unprotected and unrepresented workers in what is dubbed. They negotiate on behalf of their members on pay scales, working hours and working conditions. Unions have a wider social role beyond simply the workplace and are essential to the functioning of a healthy democracy. It generally pursues the broad objective of steady employment, which is something the employer may not be able to guarantee to the workers.
What are the functions of zambia congress of trade union. Role and functions of the trade unions under the new. In the one party era, the trade unions through their only central organization, the zambia congress of trade unions had close affinity with the party, unip and participated in the various activities of the party such as the general confer ence and national council where party and government policies were mooted. Empowerment is underresearched in labour and trade unions, not least in. In case no agreement is settled or respected, the trade union members may enforce strikes or resistance to lockouts. August, 1996 this project was funded under purchase order no. Zambia congress of trade unions was established in 1965 through an act of parliament, until 1993, the zctu was the sole umbrella organisation of trade unions in the country. They have done more for decency, for honesty, for education, for the betterment of the race, for the developing of character in man, than any other association of men. Whether temporary or permanent, primarily for the purpose of regulating the relations between workers and employers or between workers for imposing restrictive conditions on the conduct of any trade or business and includes the federations of two. Most stakeholder models include customers suppliers. When matters concerning an individual employee or a group of workers arise, the trade unions job is to voice out the problem in order to negotiate for a solution. In the one party era, the trade unions through their only central organization, the zambia congress of trade unions had close affinity with the party, unip and participated in the various activities of the party such as the general confer ence and national council where party and. In zambia, it appears a law that allows a trade or a sector to have more than one union has contributed to divide and rule approach in trade unionism.
It then highlights the types and structure of trade unions. Trade union p lay g reat role in safeguarding employees from any form of discrimination or hara ssment in. The draft of the decision on the trade unions adopted by the c. Broader definitions of stakeholders widen the concept to include responsibilities to local communities and, more generally, civil society. Trade unions have been in existence for many years. Over the past few years they have played an increasing role in teacher development and the debates around the professionalisation of teachers. Objectives, function, formation, regulation, rights and liabilities. Roles and responsibilities of trade union management essay. There is very little trade union activity in small sector, agricultural labour and domestic sector. The trade union is a militant organisation designed to fight for the cause of the workers. The role of trade unions and their representatives. Trade union movement in our country suffers from the following weaknesses. The total membership had risen from 274,126 in 1940 to about 900,000 in 1976 sonubi, 1986.
Role of government in industrial relation essay 324 words. Trade unions and collective bargaining law teacher. Achievement of this aspiration may, therefore, involve workers in. Trade unions role is to fight for workers rights nonde. Rights of employees in respect of trade union membership and its activities 6. It is, thus, clear that no agency formed or promoted to look after the interests of the workers can be a real substitute for trade unions.
The report begins by explaining what trade unions are, why workers join trade unions and the benefits of trade unions to employers, employees and the society. Over the years, trade unions have been involved in politics and other societal activities. Jan 25, 2019 a trade union generally negotiates with employers on behalf of its members, advocating for improvements such as better working conditions, compensation and job security. Trade unions were also formed in the export enclaves of the mining industry e. Sector trade unions should initiate effective members recruitment drive in most organisations to ensure that all workers. Trade unions should start being involved with local authorities and attend meetings and be action oriented zctu to advocate for rights based national budgets in line with the constitution and international benchmarks zctu and affiliates should advocate for prioritization of service provision in. Then, the growing importance of trade unions in the modern workplace has been amply highlighted. Trade union is any group or organisation of employees registered as a trade union under the industrial and labour relation act whose principal objectives are the representation and promotion of interests of the employees and regulation of relations between employees and. Mar 18, 2007 trade unions role is to fight for workers rights nonde by chibaula silwamba sunday march 18, 2007 02.
The report begins with a brief history about trade unions and tells us what a trade union is. This study aims at finding out the effect of trade unionism on workers. Trade unions and the informal economy in zambia epub bayreuth. They look upon trade unions as weak organisations with. In the absence of strong collective bargaining systems, the wages and conditions of. Trade unions, development, and democratization in zambia. Collective bargaining and labour disputes resolution is.
Frederick chiluba was chairmangeneral of zctu 19741991. It therefore behooves us, to investigate the effectiveness of the trade unions in the zambian mining sector. This southern african country of 12 million people has been rocked by strike action throughout the1990s. Parliament should enact relevant legislation to compel all employers to facilitate their respective workers to.
The teacher development community of practice cop explored some themes on the topic, in the context of a presentation by duncan hindle, the former president of. Click here for more of our coverage on zambian political developments. The role of stakeholders good corporate governance helps to ensure that corporations take into account the interests of a wide range of constituencies, as well as of the communities within which they operate, and that their boards are accountable to the company. Find trade union expertise in zambia there are about 25 unions in zambia and the two main groupings are zambia congress of trade unions zctu and federation of free trade unions in zambia fftuz. Role and functions of the trade unions under the new economic. Discriminate against a worker on the grounds that he is a member of a union.
The roles and functions of trade unions business essay. Trade union is any group or organisation of employees registered as a trade union under the industrial and labour relation act whose principal objectives are the representation and promotion of interests of the employees and regulation of relations between employees and employers. The organizations public campaign for the democratization of zambian politics, initiated in december 1989, culminated in the electoral defeat of the united. Amidst the recent democratic crisis following the announcement that the patriotic front government intends to deregister the main opposition party the movement for multiparty democracy few commentators have pickedup on the growing tension between new president michael sata and zambias trade unions. Blanchflower dartmouth college, national bureau of economic research and centre for economic performance, lse revised. In zambia, the trade unions spearheaded an opposition movement, the movement for multiparty democracy mmd, whose leader the.
Every society has different voices that call attention to various problems affecting it. The role of trade unions in industrial relations bizfluent. The role of teacher unions in the education sector bridge. Whether temporary or permanent, primarily for the purpose of regulating the relations between workers and employers or between workers for imposing restrictive conditions on the conduct of any trade or business and includes the federations of two or more trade unions. Most studies on the impact of trade unions on employee job performance compare performance say productivity among otherwise similar firms or workplaces that differ according to the influence of trade union activity to management. Workers struggles in zimbabwe one such case is that of zimbabwe, which forms the focus of this article. Some argue that this group is redundant with the employee group customers. The organizations public campaign for the democratization of zambian politics, initiated in december 1989, culminated in the electoral defeat of the united national independence party unip at the.
Click here for the annual survey of violations of trade unions rights in zambia for 2011. Get your business to the top of the list for free, contact us for details trade unions in zambia. There are 9 main functions of a trade union, which are as follow. What role do trade unions play in the 21st century. Advise the management on personnel policies and practices. Finland is famously a world leader in student performance. Where the public service is concerned for most of the countries, the legislation has many grey areas that raise questions as to the governments commitment and sincerity in extending. A different role for teachers unions education next. It will also highlight other functions of trade unions that aim towards benefitting both organization and employees. It also seeks to examine the relationship between trade unionism and the actions of management. The origins of trade unions can be found in guilds and fraternal organizations composed of people practicing a common trade, which date back hundreds of years. It is not possible to list all of them here, but we do certainly make mention of some of them. Collective bargaining with the management to settle terms and conditions of employment.
Because of the misconception of industrial relation theories, where there is a good companion between the government and workers, the imperfection in financial markets will distract the productivity of capital and labor. Preparation the role of trade unions in launching the policy process. Trade unions should start being involved with local authorities and attend meetings and be action oriented zctu to advocate for rights based national budgets in line with the constitution and international benchmarks. Aug 19, 2018 enca speaks to labour analyst terry bell, zingiswa losi from cosatu and mametlwe sebei of saftu. The role and tasks of the trade unions under the conditions created by the new economic policy were examined at a plenary meeting of the c. This happened especially in francophone africa, but later also in the lusophone countries of angola and mozambique. Parliament should enact relevant legislation to compel all employers to facilitate their respective workers to form or belong to a trade union of their choice. The report then explains what trade unions are and their relevance in the modern workplace. Put a condition in a contract of employment preventing an employee joining a trade union. These unions play an important role in industrial relations the relationship between employees and employers. Trade unions role is to fight for workers rights nonde by chibaula silwamba sunday march 18, 2007 02.
The role of trade unions and their representatives although trade unions look after the interests of their members, they also recognise the advantages of working in partnership with employers. Trade unions in zimbabwe 87 known examples, but important developments have taken place in a number of other settings. These areas can include basic pay, overtime payments, holidays, health safety, promotion prospects, maternity and paternity rights and job security. Trade unions in nigeria started as voluntary organizations of workpeople aimed at securing. They were not involved in the planning or decisionmaking roles. The role of trade unions in eliminating child labour in. Pdf trade unions, development, and democratization in zambia. Trade unions and democracy in zambia democracy in africa. Trade unions organises for protection and promotion of the interests of their members in particular and workers in general.
Times of zambia role of trade unions in work places. One of the main aims of the organisation of workers into trade. Trade unions in present era of industrial development, perform two sets of functions. Trade union services and benefits in africa edited by.
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