GOVERNMENT has advised opposition leaders against politicising the job losses in the mining sector because the lay-offs have been caused by low commodity prices on the international market, which have affected all copper-producing countries.
Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Christopher Yaluma said Government does not agree with the retrenchment of miners at some mining companies on the Copperbelt.
“We will never be at peace with the retrenchment of some miners because our campaigns were based on job creation and it is on this premise that President Lungu took the initiative to dialogue with mine owners and unions to minimise job losses,” he said.
The minister said in an interview yesterday that Government has been forced to accept minimal job losses to avoid closure of the mines because investors are incurring losses as a result of the low copper price on the international market and the energy deficit.
Mr Yaluma said Government has little influence on the low price of copper and that people should be able to understand such issues.
He said Government closely scrutinises mine owners who advocate massive retrenchments when they recorded profits last year at a time the copper price was high.
Mr Yaluma said the low copper price on the international market has not only affected Zambia but all the copper-producing countries worldwide.
Mr Yaluma said President Lungu’s administration should be commended on measures it has put in place to minimise job losses in the mines.
And minister of Labour and Social Security Fackson Shamenda has urged opposition leaders to offer solutions over job losses in the mining sector.
Mr Shamenda said in a separate interview that the PF government should not be blamed for the low copper price on the international market.
“Those who are criticising Government concerning job losses on the mines should consider giving solutions to avert more job losses on the mines if they have any,” he said.
He said those with solutions to the job losses in the mining sector should go to his office and share them for a better Zambia.
Mr Shamenda said critics should know that the job losses would have been worse if Government had not intervened.
He said the finances that some opposition political parties are using for politicking could be used for development programmes.
Mr Shamenda said mine closures have been the order of the day in other countries facing similar challenges but that this has not happened in Zambia.
You are right Hon. (lol) Yaluma. It is all fault of the opposition.
They are the ones which have screwed economy.
Not you or PF.
The language has now changed did you not say you wanted the mines back so you could manage them
Now all the PF Ministers are “accepting” that it is inevitable to stop the job loses. Before ECL travelled to Copperbelt, my comment were that it wont be the mines arm that will be twisted but the government. Later, someone came on TV and said he had a successful tour of the CB. AND a headline in some paper said Miners jobs saved by ECL intervention. To me the number of miners who have lost jobs is NOT Minimal. I cannot blame the opposition on this. Where is Kambwili, too quiet over the last one/twoweeks
please can we have our mines back this is a good opportunity to kick them(MCM) out. the issue of copper prices let them go and dictate theirs, believe me by the rate we are going ten year from now they will came back and say copper is finished in the ground, what are we going to do? it will be a different story not low copper prices . fellow country men and women, we need to reserve our copper ten year from now they will come back and dance to our tune. can we channel what monies is available to farming, we are going to have a serious impact when we take this move. but everyone should learn to sacrifice for better future.
YALUMA WHATEVER YOU ARE CALLED YOU HAVE NO BRAINS VISIT THOSE FAMILIES THEN YOU CAN MAKE YOUR USELESS STATEMENTS DONT COMMENT FROM LSK UNDER THE AIR CONDITIONED OFFICE COME 2016 YOU GUYS THINK WE ARE SLEEPING WE WILL SHOCK YOU
Given the money you have wasted trying to stop the mines going ahead with this…by giving them all sorts of incentives at the expense of taxpayers and then they still went away and did t anyway…why should it be political. Is it not the lazy bum who was assuring the people on the airport tarmac that all was safe was that not political?
How such a caliber can still be a minister is just unbelievable.
MCM produces copper ($4685/t today selling prices) and cobalt as a by-product (selling @ $23,505/t). Has anyone in Govt monitored cobalt sales from MCM?
Shamenda are you normal? Why can’t you say that the money you have been using for PF induced by elections could have gone towards national development. You’re such a hypocrite!
He said those with solutions to the job losses in the mining sector should go to his office and share them for a better Zambia:
Answer: You were advised about SI 33 AND 35: Did you listen.
Mr Shamenda said critics should know that the job losses would have been worse if Government had not intervened.
Comment: These jobs would have been served/saved if you guys had started listening and putting up measures in the energy sector to avoid massive loading shedding.
He said the finances that some opposition political parties are using for politicking could be used for development programmes.
Comment: Its their money which they are using to sell their manifestos because PF DeadNBC,Deadly Mail,Timeless of Zambia can not cover them to sell their manifestos the citizenry of Zambia.
If You…