It is reported that the Mineworkers Union of Zambia may block attempts by government to bring Vale, a Brazilian mining company to operate in the country planned for this year because of its human rights record.
Mr Rayford Mbulu president of MUZ urged the government to draw lessons from the privatization of Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines, which he said had left miners still going through turmoil and torment because the process had not been consultative.
Mr Mbulu said that based on the information, government is striking investment partnership deal with Brazil and about USD 600 million is supposed to be pumped into this country’s mining operations.
He said that the union had information that Vale has got the worst human rights records in relation to investment. Much as there had been massive attraction of investment in the mining sector, the question of credibility of the investors that were being brought remained unanswered. The other question that still lingered on concerned the workers and communities’ benefits from the investment.
Mr Mbulu argued that Vale, which had employed people under the United Steel Workers in Canada had subjected its employees to serious violations.
He said that much as it was important to attract investment, it was equally important to exercise caution and ensure that consensus was established through a consultative process before settling for any one investor.
The miners’ union was of the firm belief that the Brazilian investor that would be coming into Zambia was Vale because the company was also conducting prospective processes in Mozambique and Tanzania, and it wanted to grow its presence in the southern African region.
Meanwhile the chamber of mines said mining companies are not obliged to develop infrastructure in the areas they operate but they can do community social responsibility projects on voluntary basis in order to be viewed as good citizens.
Mr Frederick Bantubonse GM of Chamber of mines said while speaking during a public discussion discussion hosted by Caritas Solwezi in conjunction with CTPD on the subject that the mining tax debate: an endless tug of war on recently said there were no such conditions requiring mining firms to build developmental structures in their areas of operation.
Mr Bantubonse said that it was not clearly stated in statutory regulations whether the mining companies had a strictly assigned role in developing areas where they worked part from their core businesses.
Recently President Banda and his Brazilian counterpart, Lula Da Silva announced that two Brazilian mining companies planned to invest about USD 600 million in the mining industry through the opening of a mine in Konkola in northern Zambia.
[SteelGuru ]
(Filed by Mr Kapembwa Sinkamba SteelGuru Correspondent Zambia)
Waay of the cross. Way to Go MUZ. We are tired of rhetorics from Politicians trying to cheat people. This is a practicle example of a Union fighting for the workers. However, there are so many mining companies that are not yet affiliated to MUZ nor NUMAW. Thats the challehge to have these mining companies sign recognition agreements NOW not tomorrow.
I think this action by MUZ of trying to prevent this Brazilian company from doing business in Zambia is self-defeating. The bottom line is that our country needs investment. If they have information that these people are no good then they need to use that information constructively eg by overseeing the activities of these people once they start operating, become involved in contractual arrangements with government and ensure that miners are protected.
Unfortunately everything in life comes with risk. To identify that risk is the first step. If anyone knows a business where people will not get injured or hurt, I would like to be part of it. The union’s job is to oversee the activities of these miners and help in regulation. There job IS NOT sitting in offices and restraining business
Mr Rayford Mbulu president of Muz -please do your lips and eventually your mouth. Vale is one of the serious mining investors. Let those who have see Vale’s investments in some African countries teach this dull MUZ President.
For example in Mozambique, Vale has pumped in Millions of Euros in Tete province of Mozambique. Let Zambia move from being a talking country to being practical in investment issues. Thank you to RB on this Brazillian investment
I live in a city where Vale recently bought a mine and workers have been on strike for a year now, and this is in a developed country where workers know their rights. Our government is not capable of implementing laws to protect the Zambian worker as seen from the happenings at KCM and the Chinese coal mines. Investment is welcome but the government must first wake up and legislate labour laws to protect the Zambian worker.
Dear friends,The India Youth Media Council has been acltveiy taking part in the discussion forum for the past one year.Please do not forget to mention India in the above list of Youth Councils.