Operation Young Vote has condemned the increase of the retirement from 55 to 65 years by the Patriotic Front government as proposed by its leader President Michael Sata.
Organization chairperson Guess Nyirenda said the move was an infringement on the rights of young people.
“We are worried by the increase of the retirement age from 55 to 65 years because it is an infringement on the right of young people who in their numbers are struggling to get jobs and now the few jobs available are being held by elderly people,” Nyirenda said.
“The young people ushered the government in power on the promise of jobs and now the government is alienating young people further.”
He said it was strange that while few people made it to 65 years old the government had stubbornly increased the retirement age limit.
And Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) said it was unfortunate that cabinet had sneaked into law a clause that was still being considered by the National Constitutional Conference.
“We are surprised that cabinet has gone on to implement a clause that is in the draft constitution. We wonder where this leaves the draft constitution if government is going to sneak in clauses,” said FODEP Executive Directive MacDonald Chipenzi.
Zambia has a life expectancy of 37 years and even at the retirement of 55 years people used to die without getting their benefits.
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