Follow-Up Set to Resolve Luapula Water Staff Disputes
The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Collins Nzovu, has engaged union leaders to address employee welfare and payroll concerns affecting workers at Luapula Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited.
The engagement, held virtually on Thursday, brought together ministry officials, company management, the board of directors and leaders from the Zambia Water and Sanitation Engineering and Allied Workers Union.
During the meeting, union leaders led by president Martin Mpundu and general secretary Moses Mwale raised concerns about the non-payment of overtime allowances, the placement of unqualified officers in certain positions, lack of protective clothing for workers and strained relations between management and staff.
The concerns followed the issuance of exculpation letters to 33 employees who took part in an unauthorised go-slow action on 17 February 2026.
Speaking during the meeting, Mr Nzovu assured union leaders that government takes the welfare of workers in the water sector seriously and that a thorough investigation would be conducted to establish the facts surrounding the concerns raised.
He also welcomed the decision by company management to withdraw the charge letters issued to the 33 employees, describing the move as a positive step towards restoring industrial harmony and encouraging constructive dialogue among stakeholders.
To ensure fairness in the process, the minister directed the company’s board and management not to victimise any employee following the withdrawal of the letters, emphasising government’s commitment to professionalism and mutual respect within public water utilities.
Mr Nzovu also thanked union leaders for agreeing to engage through dialogue and invited them to a physical meeting where outstanding concerns would be discussed further in order to reach an amicable solution.
On the union’s call for the managing director to be placed on forced leave, the minister said such a decision could not be made prematurely and would only be considered after investigations into the allegations against the managing director and the human resources director were completed.
He noted that the company, like many other commercial water utilities, is facing financial difficulties largely due to years of underinvestment and low tariff structures, which have made it challenging to meet operational costs.
The minister called for calm among stakeholders, adding that government continues to provide financial support to water utilities to help them manage the challenges and ensure the continued delivery of water and sanitation services.
The meeting concluded with all parties agreeing to hold a follow-up physical meeting to address the remaining issues and strengthen collaboration in the interest of workers and service delivery.
