- Title: ZAMBIA: STRIKE PARALYSES RAILWAYS - PRESIDENT TAKES EMERGENCY POWERS.
- Date: 14th June 1968
- Summary: PASSENGERS AND FREIGHT WAITING AT NDOLA STATION; IDLE ROLLING STOCK; DESERTED BUILDINGS; PEOPLE OFF-LOADING THEIR OWN GOODS FROM RAILWAY WAGON. Initials JSU/VS/JH/SC Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 29th June 1968 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: NDOLA, ZAMBIA
- Country: Zambia
- Reuters ID: LVA8JPPOSPV0MKLQLULHMR4MYJ5W
- Story Text: ZAMBIA'S PRESIDENT KENNETH KAUNDA TOOK EMERGENCY POWERS LAST NIGHT (THURSDAY) TO STOP A NATIONWIDE RAILWAY STRIKE WHICH HAS PARALYSED THE LANDLOCKED COUNTRY FOR TWO DAYS.
ACTING UNDER THE PRESERVATION OF PUBLIC SECURITY ACT, HE DECLARED THE RAILWAY SYSTEM TO BE AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE IN WHICH STRIKE ACTION IS ILLEGAL. ANYONE WHO ENCOURAGES OR HELPS A RAILWAY MAN TO STAY AWAY WORK WILL COMMIT A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.
ZAMBIA'S 6,000 RAILWAYMEN WALKED OUT TWO DAYS AGO OVER DELAYS IN IMPLEMENTING AN AGREEMENT TO DRAW UP NEW WAGE RATES, INCLUDING A 50 PER CENT PAY INCREASE, AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
THE STRIKE HAS TOPPED ALL LOADING OF COPPER EXPORTS ON THE ROUTE THROUGH RHODESIA BY RAIL TO BEIRA, IN MOZAMBIQUE, WHICH NORMALLY CARRIES 20,000 TONS A MONTH.
DELIVERS OF COAL TO ZAMBIA'S COPPERBELT MINES HAVE ALSO BEEN HALTED BY THE STRIKE.
PRESIDENT KAUNDA CUT SHORT HIS HOLIDAY TO FLY BACK TO LUSAKA LAST NIGHT TO DEAL WITH THE STRIKE SITUATION.
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