I have been wondering why despite many years of hard labour and determined focus towards improving the living standards of our people, we still fail to get substantial and sustainable levels of economic growth. We have all the resources we need, we have the labour, not to mention the knowledge and skills.
Many a time, there have been calls from employers and government for Zambians to change their work culture on one hand, while on the other, workers continue crying for improved working conditions. The debates have continued for as long as people started working in Zambia.
When I sat down and compared what may be wrong with Zambia, i realised that despite the fact that we have all I have already mentioned, we still lack one thing...time. I realised that of all the countries I have visited and read about, those that have managed to grow, did so after working day and night. The chinese, Indians, Angolans and our dear friends in the West all worked and have continued to work 24 hours in a day!
In Zambia, this is very uncommon. People work from earliest 07:00 hours and knock off latest 18:00hours, and duirng this time, some have tea/coffee breaks and lunch! On average, people only work for less than 7hours. How can we surely develop with only 7hours of work in a day? We definitely cant! We need to increase our working hours, whether we are in a personal business venture or we are formally employed. As for employers, we need to begin awarding people based on output or amount of time spent working. This will mean those working longer hours will get more money, the company will increase its production levels, making more profits in the process.
If this requires government intervention, i am petitioning the Ministry of Labour to formulate a policy which allows for more and flexible working hours. If its not upto to government, then its even easier...employers and the unions, work out a simple way of increasing productivity for the company! If we are seriously considering sustainable economic growth,that benefits us all we need to change our work culture, we need more working hours!
Only Zambians can develop Zambia!
Many a time, there have been calls from employers and government for Zambians to change their work culture on one hand, while on the other, workers continue crying for improved working conditions. The debates have continued for as long as people started working in Zambia.
When I sat down and compared what may be wrong with Zambia, i realised that despite the fact that we have all I have already mentioned, we still lack one thing...time. I realised that of all the countries I have visited and read about, those that have managed to grow, did so after working day and night. The chinese, Indians, Angolans and our dear friends in the West all worked and have continued to work 24 hours in a day!
In Zambia, this is very uncommon. People work from earliest 07:00 hours and knock off latest 18:00hours, and duirng this time, some have tea/coffee breaks and lunch! On average, people only work for less than 7hours. How can we surely develop with only 7hours of work in a day? We definitely cant! We need to increase our working hours, whether we are in a personal business venture or we are formally employed. As for employers, we need to begin awarding people based on output or amount of time spent working. This will mean those working longer hours will get more money, the company will increase its production levels, making more profits in the process.
If this requires government intervention, i am petitioning the Ministry of Labour to formulate a policy which allows for more and flexible working hours. If its not upto to government, then its even easier...employers and the unions, work out a simple way of increasing productivity for the company! If we are seriously considering sustainable economic growth,that benefits us all we need to change our work culture, we need more working hours!
Only Zambians can develop Zambia!
I think you're right!
ReplyDeleteWe really need to change our work culture.
I am actually ready to work at night as long as someone will award me for that!