The new owners of Luanshya Copper Mines will only be able to engage workers on full time basis after six months.
Mines Minister, Maxwell Mwale, says this is because China Non-Ferous Metals which has taken over the mine currently has no revenue stream to employ workers permanently.
He told ZNBC news in Lusaka that the former owners of the mine, ENYA, did not leave any stockpiles of copper concentrates for continued production.
Mr. Mwale said the new owners have to start from the scratch.
He said China Non-Ferous Metals is pumping money into the mine, but will not make any profit until after six months.
Mr. Mwale was reacting to the Mine Workers Union of Zambia, which expressed concern over reports that the new investor at Luanshya Copper Mines was offering six months job contracts to employees.
Union general secretary, Oswell Munyenyembe, said the move taken by the new investor is contrary to earlier assurances that employees would be given pensionable jobs.
China non-Ferrous Metals has invested 400 Million US dollars in Luanshya Copper Mine which shut down early this year after ENYA pulled out, citing falling Copper prices on the World market.
[ZNBC]
Max the problem is what you and your bosses got from the deal is a lot would you bother?
After six months thy will still say the samething…lets wait and see..!
This government is full of sick people
Last month, it was six months … can these people do math.
What if they do not make a profit after 6 months? Max protect your own! Imitima ububi ififibantu! Nafulwa sana!
Engange? lsktimes a simple spell check can help at times to reduce the shoddy journalism
Okay..i hope it works out well for my home
Greetings bloggers.
Miss Daisy, nice to see you back. I hope you’re resistant to personal attacks this time around.
Ws for LCM, I’m happy that at least the mine is operating full time again, that’s the most important thing. Employees always come and go.
#7 Miss Daisy are you from LYA? And around what time did you leave their?
Iwe #8 Nine Chale. I have a lot relatives in Luanshya. Ulefwaya balebombambafye bu casuall? Jump, sit, stand? Xungh zing zuha? Iwe!
Miss Daisy ah! I have a feeling twalicitapo after after! lol! Just being naughty. Am I allowed?
some town should jut be wiped out completely on thye map of zambia,full of problems every time
Nine Chale, lol.. yes perhaps am resistant now, no emotional raptures anymore…3RqU…twalicita inshi nomba naimwe… elaborate? #9 Dalitso, yes am from Lya, born and breed…left like 10 years ago though
Missy daisy baby you look good,wasup wit you,did know you looks were so fly baby,I underated you,so was up wit you,can we get into some talking?
Shani 3RqU! I also have a number of relatives ku Mufulira na ku Chingola iwe, I also hope Chang Lee doesn’t turn them into slaves.
Employees all over the word are either going on voluntary leave and/or take pay cuts and work less hours to help companies cushion the difficulties. But you chaps here especially some from the UK are quick to rubbish the move in Zambia if i may ask 3RqU what has just happened with British airways??? some people have actually taken leave for a year so the company can sort out its finances.
#13 Miss Daisy. Same here but i left like 5 yrs ago. Was there last year. Not much has changed. I still luv it though.
Uchipo it depends what sort of job one does. If one is a factory worker then tough. As for BA, most of the wannabes their can cut their salaries for up to 75% and still survive. I hope you do not still think being an air hostess is a job to shout about. May be wrong though. My opinion!
If being an ir hostess is not something to shout about what of ba shimain
Nine Chale awe kwati ibele lwandi calashupa again. Dora kwati calashupa again iwe.
Uchipo one is in Africa the other in Britain. Benefits? Anyone?
But how could the mine be sold to a company which “currently has no revenue stream to employ workers permanently”?
But what happened at the negotiations? Abena Zambia, You sold the mine on nkongole.
So this company can leave after 6 months without any obligations to anybody.
Mule just like Kafupi did with those South Africans. Hackermans (spelling)
During the year 1995, a behind-closed-doors meeting was held in San Francisco to discuss the global economy of the 21st century. Present were 500 corporate chiefs, leading politicians and academics.
They decided that with new technology abounding, only 20% of the world’s labour force would be needed. The remaining 80% simply would not be required to keep the world economy going. The middle class as we know it, would shrink dramatically in the rich countries.
If hundreds and thousand of people were not being laid off world wide at this time of writing, I would say that this blogger(1984) may require psychiatric assistance. However, it is happening isn’t it? People are losing their jobs – millions of them; aren’t they?
Unfwa iwe Uchipo #16, The people/employees in the UK can take a year out and still be paid “job seekers allowances, council tax rebates, etc”.
Have you not heard that “British Airways moved closer to a summer of industrial disruption after the airline’s baggage handlers and check-in staff voted to reject plans for a series of cuts to save the struggling company”?
Ba Uchipo don’t cheat people.
The principle of no job is too small or too big should be applied just because we are in Africa doesnt mean we are immune. After all the investors come from the same developed economies.
Benefits or not systems are different around the world Problems in zambia you want all or nothing then when you have nothing blame the government. You are in the UK exposed to the world you should know better.
these are the kind of Chinese investors SATA is fighting. if NFCA offered such terms & conditions of contract and they were the preferred bidders, then I wonder what the losing bidders (KCM inclusive) offerd-engage employees on no salary basis for 1year???? Nay, i dont think so!! but the question that begs an answer is “who arrived at a decision to award such a sensitive tender to NFCA??? NICHEKELEKO DID ON BEHALF OF ZAMBIANS….LCM is a money spinning mine for each and every president (Chiluba-Binani, Levy-ENYA, RB-NFCA) dont ask me how?
Some play peace like Donny the Guru
Others live to be wise and old like Desmond Dutcher
On “The new owners of Luanshya Copper Mines will only be able to engange workers on full time basis after six months“, under the prevailing conditions this is good.
At least all workers have been given six months to organise their future life. Such rarely happens and the Chinese must be commended for this good act of informing the Zambian people. This follows from “information is power” adage.
I advise all the mine workers to start applying for jobs elsewhere while they must look into opening small scale businesses for survival after the six months should things be bad.
Have a blessed day you all.
_
Matt 7 + KJV Bible
7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy…
Naimwe ba Mule ati shani When are company such as BA is close to shutting operations and you are asked to loose your job because they will have to cut operations or do s they have done go on leave what do you do??? Yes i agree there are all sorts of benefits in UK but surely why should you compare that to our country which has not made its self a rich economy. If you refuse to take mesures such as the ones above to dig yourself out of a hole what do you expect… Problem enjoyment in Zambia is put before hard work or sacrifice
Uchipo. This is why we are taken for granted. Look, Barclays and many banks back home have a stupid minimum balance rule. You tell me a person from Peckham would agree to that nonsense? Ever asked yourself why we still have asbestos rooftops on most property in Zambia?
#30 Uchipo. You are the one who was compairing Zambian workers to BA workers. Ever wondered why we still have asbestos roof tops? Ever wondered why Barclays have a minimum balance rule in Zambia?
1. My comparison limits to the fact that we should take hour cuts if its offered its better than not having anything to do for 6 months. Employees in developed economies are doing this and gues what Investors come from there.
2.The issue of asbestors has only become very populr and being debated after a link to cancer and people are asking that there properties be checked. We have not developed that much to look past what we have
3.Barclays has a limit because our economy does not really have a system to truck individual financial position. Even here there is a limit ie some only get cash cards others different. Do you know why???
You have to understand that there is no benefit culture in Zambia. To say Zambians should take a pay cut is ludicrous (in english Chipo) really. The fact is they will in the first place be getting far too less than is expected. As for cash cards you will find that most people with such are the ones on benefits and I am sure you will agree they are on all sorts of benefits.
It is only for the sake of those without hope that hope is given to us.The miners in Luanshya are hopeless creatures,they get so excited after a salary, I have been there seen that with my naked eyes,larvishing on a salary only to work up and they are broke like a mutha father..A bunch of lame people reside in this town,always waiting for government interventions, drinking and prositution is the order of the day.I wonder what they will amount to in 2011 when they will be no government
I always say, if we do not start looking at improving things, we might as well put the white flag up. I am not saying we ae going to do away with asbestos roof tops over night, but that is the direction we should be going. I think Zambians should start by learning to value themselves first. If we sit and accept all the crap thrown at us, even my great grand children will be depending on Holland for their ministry of health to run.
Anyway i understand where you are coming from When the recession was in full force peopel where advised to start leaving within there means to stop spending on plastic because that is not there money. But thanx for you insight
WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY and
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH
Cheers Uchipo. It was great talking to you. Got to go now. Take care now. Our country needs prayers.
cheers 3RqU take care i typed laters and the system said my message was too short i should go back i try again LOL
Why is it that most Zambian women are……..?
Amachoncoli babufi sana. Those will be ever condtions of work….only contracts. Check this pace.
#41, I agree with you. Our Government is naive to think this company will make a turn around. This mine has continually been stripped since the Chiluba days.
#38 Smith and wesson
You have read the book
I think the Chinese are playing it safe, the price of copper is still low although the price has just gone beyond the USD$5,000 mark today which is encouraging news. If the price trend continues up wards, I don’t think the Chinese will have a problem offering people full time jobs. Let us give them a chance. Things might start to look good for Zambia as the price of copper has started to go up again. I just wonder why RB’s administration did away with the royalty policy that the late Mwanawasa had introduced. Does anyone know if the share holding by government in the mines has been increased to 35% yet or are they still thinking about it? RB’s government must use some UNIP tactics by grabing at least 50% share holding in the mines so that Zambians can benefit from copper for a change.
Luanshya in the miser again.. why????
@ #43 sorry I meant #42, Kambongolo’s comment.
THEY ARE AVOIDING CONTRIBUTING TO NAPSA
The downfall of the Luanshya Mines started with Binani and by now should have expected some folks should have been put in Chimbokaila for economic sabotage. All these pocket run companies are just coming to take the left overs because late comers always eat bones. Its such a sad situation going on in Luanshya. This company is basically basing everything on some serious gambling – head or tail and if nothing is in sight after 6 months, off they will pack their brief cases and disappear in thin air – no trace! RB and in minions need to tell us how much they oiled their pockets…
Only in Zambia can this happen. On what grounds was this company awarded Luanshya Mines. Was their Financial standing taken into consideration, were their assets, capital taken into consideration. Was a Financial analysis carried out on this Company to ensure that their capital would still take care of investment costs including paying of salaries given that there is a Global recession . Zambians should never be taken for granted. Otherwise anyone without sufficient capital can buy any major company in Zambia. It’s a different case if they were already operating and after sometime they got hit by the Global crisis to take such a move. But the way things are right now and the circumstances surrounding the sale of the mines this is a big joke. So are the owners also not getting salaries.
There is too much desperation in Zambia and there is a lot of inferior complexes it’s like our national wealth is being sold like Salaula.
#50 New Zambia. You are right and I like this statement ” Zambians should never be taken for granted”. I said this in #31 and I spoke about Zambians valuing themselves in #36. I know we are desperate at the moment but to sit and watch the way this government is handling things is suicidal. I am afraid we are chasing our own tails here.
Mickey Mouse government is all I see here. After six months we will start getting crap from you know who, like please give them time, they mean well. Funny enough, unionists have started singing the same song as people in government. Katwishi ku Africa!
Until we learn to value ourselves, I can not see anything changing in Africa. These guys are not doing us a favour by investing in these mines. It`s a two way thing.
WHEN KAMBWILI TRIES TO WARN US WE SAY HE IS A KABOVA. YOU YOUNG ONES LISTEN TO THE BEATLES SONG THE F.O. O. L. ON THE HILL. NOBODY PAYS ATTENTION TO HIM BUT SEES ALL WHAT IS HAPPENING. PEOPLE SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLES SPOUSES UNDER ANTI HILLS ARE SEEN BY THIS MAN.
Ba LT shani lyashi lwakwa Harrington kaili?
#55 Tell us what this ilyashi is
Why is the Minister so protective of these Chinese?
He should check with SINO Metals and NFCA in chambishi Chinese have opted to take advantage of the Poor Labour laws in Zed. Contracts are being given in these places and so it shall continue. Basic salaries are very low and our pipo are forced to work overtime just to get a million and a few. Chinese are busy encouraging employing grade nines and drop outs they have given a blind eye to trained artisans or Engneers (If they will employ any)
Therefore Mr.Minister just enjoy your corrupt monies u have been given ask Kalombo Mwansa .
Problem pa Zed is that all of you think that at $5,000/t the mines cannot make a profit!! Believe you me the mines are profitable at $2,500/t. Kwati twalishipulafye!!! Probably monkeys are now thinking better than us hence……..!!
# 56, 57 and # 58. Lets look at the facts, the mine was actually closed down meaning the owners did not it profitable. The government then advertised it and only two bidders responded again showing that itis not an attractive investment. and anyone who knows the history of the Luanshya mine is aware that it is not very profifitable actualy some reporrs have reccomended closing it down. So when an investor comes and wants to give it a shot, lets give a chance, be gratefull and hope for the best. Just imagine you were the investor, what would you do just throw in money without looking at returns. Let us be factual and logical in our analysis
#59 thank God we have sincere pipo like you! Its amazing how Zedians are quick to trash the govt no matter how hard it tries. True, half a loaf is better than none. the very fact that very few investors were interested in LCM tells the unsaid story that it will take in a lot before it can pay off. Leave the miners alone to appreciate what God has given them for now!
So it means that just because Zambia has mismanaged it’s resources and wealth anything that looks like Foreign investment should be welcome, even if it means even the little that Zambia has should be taken away. Wake up Zambians and do not be too desparate, we need intelligent and strategic thinkers to manage and develop our resources. At the rate we are going only God can save us and our country.
Lusaka times is a very biast site.
LT stop being biased otherwise you will also be accused of selling our country by denying freedom of expression