US ISSUES TRAVEL WARNING FOR ZAMBIA AHEAD OF 2011 ELECTIONS

Is this a predication of violence ahead of the much anticipataed 2011 tripartite elections in Zambia?

The United States government is urging its citizens to take precautions when traveling to Zambia ahead of September 20th national and local elections, saying there is a potential for unrest.

The U.S. State Department yesterday urged Americans traveling to Zambia during or immediately following next month’s elections to monitor local news, assess travel routes when making plans, and to avoid all demonstrations. It said even peaceful protests can quickly become unruly.

During the September vote, Zambia's President Rupiah Banda will seek his first full term in office. The president took power during special elections in 2008, after the death of his predecessor, Levy Mwanawasa. During that election, Mr. Banda narrowly defeated rival Michael Sata.

This year’s elections have been marred with a lot of political violence with the country’s major opposition party Patriotic Front being confident of winning.

Voice of America

FNB-ZAMBIA AWARDS EMPLOYEES SALARY INCREAMENT

First National Bank (FNB) Zambia has joined many local financial institutions trying to sustain its worksforce through increament of salaries in th advent of new entrants in the sector.
The Zambian financial sector has continued responding to increases in the cost of living through increased packages for its workforce.

Zambia Union of Financial and Allied Workers (ZUFIAW) President Cephas Mukuka says his union has been advoctating for increased salaries for its members owing to inflationary changes and cost of living. Mr. Mukuka tells the DataBank that the latest institution is FNB Zambia which has nodded to a ZMK 700,000 salary hike across the board.

“I can safely confirm that my union did sign a collective agreement with FNB Zambia on August, 8, 2011 after negotiations,” Mr. Mukuka said.

FNB is the third bank to have awarded its workers a salary hike after Investrust Bank and Standard Chartered Bank which equally gave its employees the same amount.
By Brian Mwale