STAFF at Lusaka Business and Technical College (LBTC) have commenced a sit-in protest due to management’s inability to implement the Labour Commissioner’s directive on salary adjustments and conditions of service.
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The protest comes from confusion over the interpretation of the directive, with workers claiming management has paid blind ear to the order, while union leaders say the directive must follow a set procedure before salaries can be adjusted.
“We have waited long enough for management to act on what the Labour Commissioner already ruled,” LBTC staff members said through a statement.
“Our patience has run out. We are only asking for what the law already provides, fair pay for our work.”
The protest was ignited after 90 percent of the union members voted in favour of a peaceful industrial action in a meeting that was held on October 9, 2025.
Branch officials insisted that the protest is a last resort to compel management’s honour towards the directive.
“This is a peaceful protest. We are not refusing to work we are showing that management has delayed the implementation of the Labour Commissioner’s order for too long. Our families are affected by these delays,” read the statement.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Technical Education Lecturers and Allied Workers (NUTELAW) National Office has distanced itself from the protest, saying the directive has been misunderstood.
In a letter issued on October 10, 2025 by the national president Emmanuel Mwila, he reminded the branch that the Labour Commissioner’s directive requires performance appraisals to be conducted first, before any salary adjustments can be made.
“The correct interpretation is clear, management and the union must first develop an appraisal tool, use it to assess members, and then award deserving notches,” Mwila stated.
“Until that step is completed, there is no legal basis for salary adjustments. The planned sit-in is not supported by the Mother Body. We understand the frustration among LBTC staff. But protesting now risks undermining the Labour Commissioner’s authority and the structures meant to resolve disputes fairly.”
However the sit-in protest has continued, with staff calling on the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Commissioner’s office to intervene and clarify the directive.
Meanwhile, management has not issued an official response.
By Dorica Kapwaya
Kalemba, October 13,2025.
