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Critics of Zambian President Edgar Lungu have called on him to reverse his salary hike if he hopes to remain in power after the country’s upcoming elections.
Zambia is set to elect its next president on August 11.
According to the Zambian Post, several union leaders had come out in opposition of Lungu’s salary increase, criticising him for not caring for poor Zambian citizens and squandering resources during a time of extreme financial hardship.
This came as news of an increase in the salaries of Zambia’s top government officials drew widespread condemnation, with Lungu claiming that he deserved a pay rise due to his hard work.
Lungu’s salary was reported to have been increased from K414 406 to K447 559, as was approved in 2013.
Peter Mwale, the President of the Judiciary and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (JAWUZ), made an impassioned plea to the statesman, urging him to denounce salary increases and consider the welfare of the country’s public.
“If he is among the poor, if his goal is to champion the needs of the poor, defend the poor, the president and his ministers or whoever they are must reduce their salaries so that the reductions can go to the poor workers like us in the judiciary,” Mwalwe was quoted as saying.
Many questioned where the government would find money to fund the increase, with opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema challenging the president to prove how the funds would be raised.
