Financial difficulties have forced the Zambian government to cancel celebrations of all public holidays this year except Independence Day on October 24, a government spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Finance Minister Ng’andu Magande said his government has withdrawn funding for all state functions in this year’s Budget as a cost-saving measure and part of the realigning process of the Budget.
An estimated $1,3-million is expected to be saved by not celebrating public holidays such as Africa Freedom Day, Women’s Day Labour Day, Heroes’ and Unity Day, Magande said.
Last week, President Levy Mwanawasa succumbed to pressure from the opposition parties and the labour movement and cut his annual travel Budget of $6,4-million to $3,8-million.
Thousands of public and private sector workers last week held a one-day countrywide strike to protest against a government decision to raise income tax and a unilateral wage freeze imposed on them.
The government has said it is part of austerity measures taken to get debt relief from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
Labour leaders threatened to go on an indefinite strike if the government does not amend the Budget.
Mgande said there will be some changes to the Budget but did not state if taxes would be cut and the wage freeze for civil servants removed. — Sapa-DPA