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    "id": 1458013,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1458013/?format=api",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Speaker for giving me this chance to add my voice to the Supplementary Appropriation (No.2) Bill. I wish to declare my support on the following grounds: One, by committing to confirm all the workers who are currently on either probation or contracts in the public service to be fully employed, as a person who has been representing workers in this country, this is a positive move which I have to support. With the difficulties and the kind of measures proposed, it is very important to see that we propel our country forward so that we do not lose track. We should ensure that things are done and the country remains stable. I think this was enumerated by the Chairman of the Committee on Budget and Appropriations, and was very convincing. I have an area which I wanted to raise so that when we come across it as from next week, it will not be a surprise to this House. I have been approached by a number of workers’ unions in this country. There are a number of collective bargaining agreements that have been signed in the public service. In this financial year, there was supposed to be a second phase of payment of salaries and allowances, which was expected to be in this budget. As I listened yesterday, I realised that money was not allocated to complete the CBAs as was signed. We learnt that most of the departments in the public service are in court, and I know the battle will be there unless we devise a way of renegotiating the second phase of the salaries which were supposed to be allocated, or else we are going to realise a number of strikes, both in the teaching fraternity and in the mainstream civil service because of that second phase of payments. What the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) did was illegal. You cannot give advice on a CBA which has been signed and registered in court. It can only be renegotiated, but not advice to defy. We should expect a lot of anxiety in the public service when it comes to the second phase of the salaries which they were expecting, unless something is done prior. The CBAs in existence are made in a way that an agreement is reached and an advice is given. When a CBA is registered in court, you cannot purport to be advising against it. This will make the workers' unions in this country take the Government to court, which will be very embarrassing. I think it is something you can think about, and see how best you can go about it so that we do not embarrass ourselves. Otherwise, I support, and thank you very much for the chance."
}