Friday, March 29, 2024

“Mr Minister, have you made an appointment?”

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by Chilekwa Mumba

Reading the paper last week, I came across the news story, which reported the minister of labor Austin Liato being blocked from entering our mines. And the reason? Well it seems our esteemed investors require ample warning for a senior member of our government to inspect our mine.  This begs the very silly question, has an investor (whether foreign/domestic) got the right to reject an impromptu inspection of labour conditions of our citizenry?  The answer is obvious… preceded by an unprintable) NO!

Well seemingly, our investors have drawn enough influence from Zambia’s corridors of power to operate as they wish. In no way am I trying to castigate Hon. Liato. Clearly the man had right intent to check on the mine’s labour conditions, but he received a very unwelcome welcome (to put it mildly). Now this begs another question, what type of agreements is our government alluding to, for a foreign investor to have the audacity to treat the Minister in such a way?

It seems to me that someone in government has “reauctioned” Zambia, to the cheapest bidder. And I say cheapest, because it is common knowledge that our investors do not treat our workers with the dignity they deserve. And poor Hon Liato made a very fitting comment, to the effect that if they (the owners of the mine) could treat him like they did, what more the ordinary Zambian (and please forgive my word “ordinary Zambian” because there is nothing extraordinary about Mr Liato, or any other government official…I digress but please take note).

That incident has passed, now here is some food for thought. As the old adage suggests, one cannot cry about spilt milk. Nevertheless, there remains “milk” which should not be spilt any more considering the plight of the majority of our citizenry. Mr. Liato and the powers that be, should take this incident as an eye opener for how some of these investors regard us. Government should first of all ensure that this incident will not repeat itself. We need to draw a line between investors and authority. When we sign agreements as a country, we need to put our people’s interests first. Clearly from this incident, someone in government has given this investor the right to act in the manner they did. This “Mr Liato did you make an appointment?” saga proves that once again, our country has been compromised due to some spineless and selfish individuals somewhere. We need to get back to the drawing board before we sell our country’s future.

126 COMMENTS

  1. An impromptu inspection by a minister doesn’t require an appointment, this was shameful. Get back to the drawing boards, as advised above.

  2. It was a wake up call to the Government, coz if a Minister can be treated in such a manner what more the workers at that same mine?

  3. i stand to be corrected, ar these guys the ones who refused R Banda to enter their premises last time? i think ba tumpa ba mbuli [-(

  4. Bloggers

    Are we honestly going to talk about the same thing, day in, day out? I think we ve had enough! These so called investors are taking us for a ride. I dont blame them though, I blame the goverment who seem not to care at all. They welcome every one, who calls himself an investor without carefully scrutinising their background, all for the love of $$$$$$$$. I think its high time Zambia strengthend its policies where the issue of investors is concerned.

  5. Do you know why these investors treat our Ministers like ma rubbish its becoz of the worship their get at the begining Zebige niwebofwe weka but if we can say if this and that are not followed will shall be forced to part ways you say so ninshi mwalitanfwapo nabatatu ama investors.

  6. If RB can pose with a tin of Pepsi at the laying of foundation for some Pepsi plant, do you expect that investor to have any regard for anybody after that? The only person they can listen to and give the time of their day is RB himself and nobody else. Iliko bad pa Zed.

  7. Good for Liato. When employees complain about the ill treatment they receive at the hand of these investors, no one listens to them.

    And for those ministers who sing about foreign investors and though they are our savior, open your eyes. Especially Mutati, he behaves as though he is the Minister of Investers.

  8. Am sure in the agreement it stated they had to make an appointment coz there is no way a minister could be treated this is manner, this is why we say our gov should be careful these investor are upto no good at all and very soon they will start ruling should we continue with this passive mentality, why should an investor have an upper hand in our own country??? can some teach these investors some manners, Please… I can imagine this embarrassing moment for Mr. Minister. Weak up gov try to be a little bit tough with these people in their agreements. Uluse lualile nkwale..

  9. Good morning baby C and fellow bloggers!!

    Liato did not make an appointment, Period. Minister or no minister, he must make an appointment. If the President can make an appointment with Chitimukulu….What of Chitineni..Liato? :d

  10. At the rate at which we are going, next the RB will be Hooting at the pesi plant gate while the investors are drinking Pepsi!!!

  11. Baby c, pumpy and ba moze, how are you guys? Did your friends tell you that they work night shift at one of the nite clubs in town? I mean cutey,lisa and sarah jones.

  12. This minister should have made an appointment and not budge his way into other pipos office like they dont have work to do. The pipo that man these offices are proffesionals and not the investors as most of you bloggers allege. It just shows that the minister has no agenda or diary and all he does is wake up and dreams of a how to run a tab of gov by way of travelling allowance. I wouldnt even allow him past my secretary this lazy minister. Come get a diary and make priorities in life.

  13. #27 Anonymous

    Good morning!

    Nomba Yashani iyo kabili? Sure, is that what you can say about those ladies? :o:o:o

    Awee mudala, banensu abomulelandapo Ka. Ati they work night shani???
    No. I think you have to apologise to them. First, is that what they told you, nangu shani?

  14. These Ministers have no rgard for fellow Zambians, but when it comes to muzungu they are head over heels thats the bwana can treat ’em like that.

  15. Its not the minister’s job to be inspecting mines and factories, thats why there are qualified people at the ministry of labour, health and councils to do that. Thses visits by ministers cause a lot of work stoppages, this not a govenment office where people sit arround reading newspapers, private sector workers are very busy trying to meet targets. Only pa Zed can a minister walk into shoprite to check wether goods have expired on the shelf.

  16. #34

    you are correct there. You wonder what these visits translate into. I know why these investors hate such visits: Closed door meetings!!
    Why? Because during these meetings with ministers, the question is ALWAYS the same: Mukwete Shinga??

  17. Edited how many business places have you visited without making an appointment and still people treated like a human being. Ebupuba twakwata fwe ma Zambians. An investor can not do such in other african countries where govt is not run by thugs like ours.

  18. The idea that muzungus are the ones that can do certain operations eg mines is the one pushing and holding zed down.
    Why can’t there be heavy investments by GRZ in some of these projects. How many constitution conferences have we had in a few years, how much have they achieved at so high costs? Why can’t those billions of kwachas be put into say mopani mines. manage it strictly not like UBZ or Zambia Airways. Re-invest the profits into other mines and so forth.
    These muzungus are making billions, elyo babikapo no kutumpa! Awe mwe!

  19. LT

    Can you please delete comments made by #40 Dr Panado. How dare he calls us Dogs!!! This is outrageous!!

    #40

    Have some respect for fellow human beings!!

  20. Baby c, Maestro as usual came with a lot of steam, bible scriptures with longer than normal comments (his usual style) and irritated almost all the bloggers. Check archives for Saturday night.

  21. Lusaka Times I would like to find out what happened to my comments last Friday. None of my comments came out. I was particularly upset because I was trying to send a very, very hot answer to Your Award Winner, Hheeheeheehee’s question. Can you imagin he had actually told me to shut up, and when you didnt show my comments, Hheeheeheehee must have thought he had won. Please dont do it again.

    By the way whats your physical address?

  22. But you know what? If, and only if, Sata was mines minister, these chaps wouldn’t see it properly…(teti baitambe bwino) Believe me they would behave.

  23. The Minister was wrong. work culture and profesionalism.Fellow bloggers those guyz you see in Zambia are not investors but are profesionals.The real investors just pump money.In business we normally have secrets and undergrond deals,next time let the minister make an appointment ,ethics.I am sure its the liato from the unions,chiluba from a union

  24. Ba DR pAnado naimwe, dont call pipo dogs, musalula wa shani kanshi. Wamona Baby C asuka akuposela back! Ifyo tabachita.

  25. Baby c, apologise for what? Dont make me lose the respect i have for you.Am only saying the truth. Because these girls claim to be in diaspora when they are right here in zambia. They are bar attenders for real.

  26. U pipo asking for minister to make an appointment, are u being fair to Zambia?
    I hope u wont be indulging carelessly and expect Jesus to make an appointment before He descends to take His chosen ones home.

  27. These Kulimonesha ta ministers should just stay in their offices as opposed to cruising around in our cars burning our fuel pretending to be carrying out inmpruptu inspections when the goofy SOB was there to see his girlfriend and used the mine visit as an excuse to travel. Next time kaluvale iwe, a while muzungu will slap you on that frog face of yours for trespassing.

  28. Dr panado, why should you exhibit your dull dullness on the blogg like this? you need help my brother. I will call alangizi and Sister to lecture you.

  29. Bloggers,

    Do not just say LT delete comment nambala mwakuti only. Push the thumbs down also.

    LT,

    I noticed that your efforts to keep the clean is but lip service. I noted a an unprintable comment with 8 thumbs down which you did not delete. Are serious with what you pledge to do or you still dont know what to do?

  30. Common courtesy tells you to at least inform the people you intend to visit in good time, probably even send your agenda of things you need to discuss in advance, people prepare themselves. This so that you could have a meaningful discussion and map a way forward….jusy my thinking! 😉

  31. These miners have invested big money, and they are here because they believe that there is rule of the law in Zambia, which does not allow tresppssers like Liato. If you owned a big business, would you allow any Jim and Jack to walk through it? Lastly, is the government the biggest abuser of workers in this country? So why inspect on private companies creating employment and leaving the mess in the govt? Charity begins at home…

  32. #64, to call a Govt Minister as any jim and jack is not right, however you might have a point on govt and its treatment of civil servants. Don’t lose it through emotional outbursts….

  33. I agree with the mine.
    It is time that Zambian politicians realised that they do not own the world. This is not ZCCM. These are private companies. Similarly, I do not expect a minister to walk into Barclays Bank and demand to inspect the bank, or walk on to my farm and demand to speak to my farm workers! The job of inspecting the mines without notice is given to the Mines and Safety department by law and not the minister! That reminds me of the UNIP days when hon Ben Kakoma closed the Congo Border Lodge in Mufulira because they could not let him in!

  34. #46. SISTER
    I am sorry. I do not think that we will ever know who owns, runs or edits LT. I suspect this is like the days of ‘big brother.’ Someone is watching you! It may even be State House! Whoever it is, whether the powers that be read these blogs or not, it just feels nice that one has vented their spleen on these delicate issues. Some people just enjoy saying ‘number 1’ and post no comment at all. There is the psyche of human nature at play here. Some just show off like school boys! Others are serious. Let’s enjoy the diversity and chill out!

  35. “Mr. Liato and the powers that be, should take this incident as an eye opener for how some of these investors regard us. Government should first of all ensure that this incident will not repeat itself. We need to draw a line between investors and authority. When we sign agreements as a country, we need to put our people’s interests first.”

    100% correct. The President RB Banda Administration must seriously see to it that the investors operate within set rules. This includes respecting the GRZ and all Zambians.

    ===
    LT 2008 Award Winner. =; for Zambia in 2011.

  36. 58. Baby C, on “This Maestro azativuta” hhe hhe hhe hhe =)).
    46. SISTER greetings, you are welcome to resubmit your sensation(s) to me now.
    31. Pumpy, on “Maestro crossed the line!”, what line?

    ===
    LT 2008 Award Winner. =; for Zambia in 2011.

  37. LT I demand once more that you delete comment #40!! We cant have such.

    Chanibaba bad. calling people dogs!! Where is LT?? Dozing on duty??

  38. Liato should have made an appointment so that he is properly received. Company employees are there to work. Imagine the disruption to production which would be caused by a minister appearing without an appointment. In any case, can anyone just walk into the minister’s office without an appointmet?
    If one wants to find out how employees are treated, there are unions and the GRZ can find out how much workers are paid through Income tax returns.
    It is high time these ministers stopped playing to the gallery and did real work.

  39. Liato is a useless Minister, forget about this inspection, ask him when was the last time he visited his own constituency in Kaoma district. This guy has been MP for a long time and yet there are places in Kaoma he has not even set foot. Just because he was a loud mouth when he was involved with some trade unions does not make him ministerial material. What are his qualifications anyway? He should have made a ministerial appointment with management and the workers or the ministry of labour should have sent inspectors before hand to collect information that the minister would address at his appointed meeting. Let us not abuse our appointments and the investors. Liato is a useless MP.

  40. 74. Baby C , 76. Ba Moze, 79. Pumpy and would-bes… shiiiii. ni |-).
    If you have any querry or anything on your mind for me, please send me email on [email protected] or drop it on here. I promise you, I will do my best to relieve you of your troubles.

    I am going to concentrate on my activities and will check later, say in onw hour time. Take care and be blessed you all.

    ===
    LY 2008 Award Winner. =; for Zambia in 2011.

  41. Maestro

    Take care too :)>-

    Sony Erricson

    Iyo Khani ya “tecnically” takana! The chap should learn to make appointments. Elo how are you ok?

  42. # 83 Ba Moze hi. Problem ya some of our Ministers kuoneka monga ni vi kaponya. sometimes muntu ukamu ona chabe, waona ati e eeeee.

  43. Chalochesu #84

    Hi! Thats right. I mean would you be surprised if the sentries at Arrakan or Kohima barracks prevented Mpombo from entering the premises? Or worse still, even confine him to the guard room!!

  44. # 85, look at Mpombo – chimu rebel proper, Peter Daka – chi drug dealer, teta, name them but a few. definately ni mu guardroom. these guys should try to learn to improve on their image. banvesa nsoni you know. these guys just sprang out during the Chiluba era mwati Kaunda had such breeds? i dont remember 😮

  45. 88. Baby C greetings, “Whats your problem kanshi?”

    Just keep quiet if they is nothing you need to discuss.

    87. Baby C, on “Indeed you need a wife urgently!!!!! . I have no time for that!”, if I needed a wife I would have had one already. The population of women in Zambia outnumbers that of men and so there is just too many women to get one from. Also, who has “time” for “that”?
    ===
    LT 2008 Award Winner. =; for Zambia in 2011.

  46. 90. Akuna matata, are you new to LT? I have been doing this great job for a long time now.

    Also, I just realise that I am using another computer I have never used for to submit postings on LT, thus please be advised that it is me on #91. Anonymous.

    ===
    LT 2008 Award Winner. =; for Zambia in 2011.

  47. #93. your flag Maestro Hhehhehhehhe that award was a consolation for your fellow tonga s humilating defeat in those elections.

  48. 96. Baby C thanks.
    99. Akuna matata impressive. Are you in St. Petersburg (Spelling?) following your name Akuna Matata of which a place with it is found there?

    Also, for those that treat LT blog as a chatroom please facebook, bwanji, gmail, etc are better for such. LT could be better if discussions are limited to data, especially research data, in line with the news items.

    Later.

    ===
    LT 2008 Award Winner. =; for Zambia in 2011.

  49. #73 Maestro. Goodmorning. As soon as I remember what I wrote, I will gladly send it. Its a pity it wont be as NICE. Its all LT’s fault. Please just be ready for it.

  50. From this encounter with the INFESTORS will now put up stiff measures which will stand to protect the helpless in society. Also pay visit to tourist INFESTORS as well.
    How i wish could give you more on what is happening in some Tourism industries in the country.
    Where one has authority to prevent workers from having lunch saying they will bring rats to the office & their agreement does not allow them to eat?
    Are there such labour laws which does not allow an employee not to eat.
    Some information is quite sensitive which i cant write on the website. Where can i go to report plse becoz Labour guys aren’t serious maybe a senior person can do this time.

  51. I once worked there.Mine has strange & st*pid conditions. They have set up a lovish housing estate & school purely for themselves (expartriates), they once denied NyamaSoya a visit to the mine that i will disturb them they need to be working not recieving him. Now it is Liato. They banned workers coming with or using mobile fons on their premises that it reduces productivity & people dont do their jobs but spend time on phone(which Zambian can afford endless talking on phone with exorbitant fon charges).Its good politicians experienced it cause habit of refusing such happen here.

  52. THIS IS MORE THAN ENTERTAINMENT!!! WILL SURELY MAKE DOLL BY TRANSLATING THIS STUFF TO SOME GERMAN GUY WANTING TO KNOW HOW BLACKS TREAT EACH OTHER!!

    THIS IS A PURE EXAMPLE OF FAILURE!!

    I REALLY DO NOT WANT TO BE A PART OF IT!!!

    WILL APPEAR FROM TIME TO TIME BUT WILL AVOID THIS NEGATIVITY IN ORDER TO CONCENTRATE ON WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN ONE’S LIFE.

    I WILL HOLD ON TO THE FEW I KNOW TO BE WITH BRAINS AND BLESSED BY THE GRACE OF GOD!! WILL LEARN FROM THEM TO ACCELERATE MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD WE ALL LIVE IN!!!

    CHEERS DEAR FRIENDS AND MAY THE GOOD LORD KEEP YOU SAFE AND FREE YOUR MINDS FROM SO MUCH FILTH, HURT AND UNFRUITFULL THINKING!!

  53. May I earnestly remind you all lost canons to refrain from taking this into a useless ball of some kind. Those silly and out of tune outbursts are very unfortunate and clearly points to the fact that some of you lacks substance but thrives in shouting at your “neighbours next door.” That’s not funny and so it should come to an end. For now let’s be magnanimous yet substantial in our contributions. Stop personalising issues here. Respect is what separates us from animals. STOP THOSE MEANINGLESS UTTERANCES AND OUT OF TUNE outbursts.

    Peace in Gaza……., you wish, in greater Israel, why not? May GOD bless the people of Israel!!!AMEN

  54. 104. SISTER thanks and I aasure that that I am ready for it on your “#73 Maestro. Goodmorning. As soon as I remember what I wrote, I will gladly send it. Its a pity it wont be as NICE. Its all LT’s fault. Please just be ready for it.” because I am always ready. Oh, in case LT fails you again you can send it [email protected].

    108. Akuna matata, I have taken note.

    I am for 103 and 109. Mossad.

    Take careful care always.
    ===
    LT 2008 Award Winner. =; for Zambia in 2011.

  55. # 109 This is the greatest contribution that I have seem from what I would call a mature person. Most of the bloggers are so childish you even wonder how they found themselves in the countries their flags show. People lets show a bit of maturity in our contributions most of which are good for our country.
    As for Liato, he should definitely have made an appointment, like he would have wanted if one went to his office.
    Good day bloggers 🙂

  56. why should he pop in other peoples’ business without making an appointment that is boma mentality those days are gone, with this financial crunch why should he disturb people who are busy working. you know what private institutions are not like boma were they just doze through out the day with nothing to do.

  57. He was supposed to make an appointment before visiting that mine do to others in the same way you want them to do for you, an eye for an eye.

  58. Thats the time the minster was to show them that he has power.If those so called investors refused inspection then what do you think is happening in that company?i think there is more i think safety regulations are not being met and other illegal stuff.They have to put up investigation. The other thing is when opur ministers go to look for investors they plead as though there is no where they can go. Investors are not there to help Zambia there in Zambia to make money, which they take to there country.

  59. #53, HAAAAAAHHAHAHA, lol
    “ati ni ba bar attenders”!!! Kuli kanthu uko.. This sick ‘yoghurt'(#53) has so many wishes.. This wish is rotten and it stinks…

    Probably you have verbal diarrhoea and mental constipation..to the effect you just bwata -bwatafye ifishilolelemo.I wont leave you alone till you leave me alone… and I mean it….
    So whats your next abuse????????? >:/>:/>:/>:/:-@:-@:-@:-@

  60. Thanks for highlighting the ‘ordinariness’ of public offices and the people who hold them. You should write a separate article totally dedicated to the subject. The minsterial functions in Zambia need to be revisited. Impromptu inspection of working conditions should be done by labor inspectors (if we have them)-not to take away from the fact that no one has the right to refuse access to governmrnt officals, minister or not.
    Something is terribly wrong in the country and it is not a laughing matter.

  61. Chilekwa Mumba the author of the article who is he? Does he write for LusakaTimes alone. This was a well written observation. LT keep it up.

  62. The wages of sin are death. Liato got what he asked for.

    Fuso: What do you expect when you have a child out of wedlock with LPM’s dota?

    Answer: You are get denied at the mine entrance

  63. The minister should know that making formal arrangement/appointments to visit a premises is a well organised way of doing things.Even in developed countries where there is serious development government officials dont just make unnecesary visits.Most ministers and other politicians in zambia dont have anything to do do in their offices.
    Appointments make work easier and promote a good relationship.

    You only make a sudden visit if there are some very urgent issues
    ralating to high violation of labour laws.Otherwise the minister was well treated.

  64. #40,63 and 64 keep the good work i like your comments it seems most of these people left Zed a long time ago and have no intentions of coming back.[-(

  65. I dont support the idea of the Minister to go and inspect the premises without an appointment in this case the mines,because of the disturbance it causes to production and just work in general.
    I however would like to say that you have to work in the mining environment for you to understand why the Minister took that step.
    Some mines on the copperbelt are neglegent and we have seen lives been lost as a result of there neglegence.
    Therefore when the Minister announces his purpose of visit,they clean up there mess and the plight of most miners are not addressed.
    The move made by the investor not to allow the Minister to inspect the mine shows how much our investors value Zambians.

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