KONKOLA Copper Mines (KCM) has set aside the plan to downsize the labour force, which should have seen 2, 000 workers pruned at once.
KCM backtracking on the matter follows progress discussions with Government and the union on the current challenges facing the mining giant.
KCM public relations manager Joy Sata announced in a statement yesterday that the company had put off the proposed redundancy programme because management, Government and the union were engaging to find a lasting solution.
“Konkola Copper Mines wishes to notify that all stakeholders that it has been engaged in very progress discussions with the Government and the unions on the current challenges facing the company,” Ms Sata said.
She said as a result of the steps that were being taken to address these challenges, significant progress had been made in identifying measures that would mitigate the company’s financial and business challenges.
“KCM therefore wishes to advise that the redundancy programme originally proposed by the company has been put-off. The company, unions and government are engaging to find a lasting solution,” she said.
Ms Sata was confident that during these discussions, the parties would reach what she said a ‘win-win’ solution.
She thanked Government and the unions for their positive contributions to the process.
KCM had of late been the centre of controversy after the company announced the proposed exercise to lay off 2, 000 workers citing a slump in copper prices on the international market and also high production costs.
laka zoona..!!! Dats wat i call a functioning gov.
Oh dear the gullibility of PF cadres! Sad! The truth of the matter is your PF has been suckered. Simply put, blackmailed or is Indianmailed. ZRA presents KCM with a bill of unpaid taxes amounting to $25.6m. Then KCM announces retrenchment of 2000 workers. PF government panicks. Gets to talk to KCM. KCM agrees to retain the 2000 workers provided the $25.6 m tax bill is written off! The 10 year wage bill for these 2000 workers is a paltry $10m . And foolish Zambians are jumping up and down praising the PF. Honestly what is wrong with you Zambians?
PF is surely working.Thank God for this wonderful news.
how much have we capitulated as govt towards the arm twisting tactics of the mwenyes
I’m pantiently waiting for HH to criticise the government on this one too,mr know it all as if he is the president calling the siting president for a debate but chi.ka.la ulya l.ito.le saana
atase!!! what is there to be proud of …today you hear that you will laid off, 2moro you hear iyo ikala….you dont know is the folllowing day will be yours..there jobs will be in a balance, how do you expect them to plan their lives.PF HAS FAILED
congrats ba union
Your Union doesn’t even know what time it is.
Wake up you have been hoodwinked, duped,played you named it yet again.
This can only mean one thing – concessions have secretly signed behind your backs at your expense you the tax payer and you are celebrating…in layman’s language “no subsides have been removed for rich KCM.”
Next time ZESCO complains about the mines not paying their fare share of tariffs and use it as an excuse to increase your bills you will remember this article but sadly it will be too late.
Wake up!!
THIS IS VERY BAD WE NEEDED OUR MONEYS IMWE BAKOLWE
Zambia needs both the US$25m owed by KCM and employment for its 2,000 workers. KCM is manupulating the PF thugs !! KCM knows the limited thinking capacity of our current leaders and can therefore dictate terms. guys thats how we are paying for by voting in office shallow minded fools. Zimbabwe embassy is fool of SATA’s relatives. Ba Watchdog please expose these dunderheads here. Some are grade 7’s and former nurses !!