THIRTY-four employees at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) have been fired for their involvement in the recent riots at Nchanga Mine in Chingola where property worth millions of Kwacha was destroyed. KCM spokesperson Rahul Karkar, who confirmed the development in an interview in Kitwe said, 47 miners were charged by management and 34 of them were found wanting.
Mr Karkar said the 34 were dismissed after their case reached the last stage of the hearing process and it was proved that they were guilty of the charges slapped on them. He said the action follows the disciplinary hearing process instituted by management for the charged employees.
He said the remaining 13 employees were reinstated by management and had since resumed work. Mr Karkar said there was overwhelming evidence indicating that the dismissed employees were involved in the riot which left a trail of destruction hence the decision to fire them.
“47 employees were charged for being involved in the riot that took place at Nchanga Mine and management has since discharged 34 while 13 have been reinstated,” Mr Karkar said. National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) president Mundia Sikufele said the union has engaged KCM management with the view of having the fired members pardoned.
Mr Sikufele said the unions had included the plight of the dismissed employees as part of their agenda for the on-going negotiations for improved salaries and conditions of service. “The fate of the dismissed miners will only be determined when we conclude the collective bargaining process because we have included that as part of the on-going negotiations with management,” he said.
Late last year, KCM employees at Nchanga Mine went on rampage and destroyed property worth millions of Kwacha. The riots were sparked by protests against prolonged salary negotiations between the unions and management.
[Times of Zambia]
have mercy on the poor souls, how about reconciliation, give them suspensions but dont fire them. can the govt intervene please
Where will they go now? They might team up to hire some lawyer who will just milk even their last coin. That’s when RB can come in and be on their side. At least he will get some vote from them in 2011. RB must not send Mulongoti.
they can go to PF for employment. Iam sure Sata needs such misfits
I hope PF will give these guys Jobs,,the blew with wind, problem! the boats can’t float on air.
they blew with the wind..problem! the boat can’t float on air
Comments generated by RB @ 3 is kind of sad. Bane mulekwatako uluse on the plight of human souls.
Raul Karkar waba meno kubola. We will blow up your house and feed your wife to the Lions at Munda wanga. Indians at KCM are a thorn in the fresh and its only someone that has no idea of the Mining Industry that will favour what’s happened at KCM. This should be the first assisgnment for President Sata, Deal with the BROKE Indians at KCM who think they can do anything they want
Aba ba fi to le ba mwenye nabatumpa sana. Nafwaile ukulila when i went to KCM last week. Bali bazamuna infra elyo ama salary tujilijili tweka tweka. Kuti natemwa ukupumapo umo