GOVERNMENT will not allow any job losses at Chibuluma Mines in Kalulushi on the pretext of operational challenges which are unsubstantiated, Chief Government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili has said.
Mr Kambwili has warned Metorex (Pty) Limited, the owners of Chibuluma Mines, against laying off any miner.
Metorex is a subsidiary of Jinchuan Group of China with its head office in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Mr Kambwili issued the warning yesterday after Chibuluma Mines indicated that 200 miners would soon be laid-off to keep operations afloat amidst the challenges emanating from low copper prices on the international market.
He said that Government was aware of a ploy by Metorex to offload the Chibuluma miners to a Chinese contractor who would employ them on a lower salary scale.
Mr Kambwili, who is Information and Broadcasting Services minister, said the Government could not be hoodwinked, and that such reports would be investigated thoroughly.
“I am extremely disappointed with a report received from the affected workers that Metorex wants to offload the workers to a contractor because it does not want to pay them the current salaries, which are good.
“Metorex wants to give the miners to a Chinese contractor who will employ them on lower salaries, but that is illegal and if found to be true, heads will roll,” Mr Kambwili said.
He said his Mines and Minerals Development counterpart, Christopher Yaluma had taken keen interest in the matter as procedure on the impending job cuts had not been followed.
This was because the mining company should have given Government and the unions a 60-day notice, but that had not been done.
Mr Kambwili said it was unfortunate that job losses in the mines had continued to haunt the country, with investors opting for the move as the only route to break even and make profits.
“Government will not sit idle and watch an investor buy a mine yet treating Zambian workers like second-hand citizens in their own country.
“We do not support the impending retrenchments at Chibuluma until we confirm beyond reasonable doubt that they cannot break even and make profits owing to low copper prices,” Mr Kambwili said.
Metorex did not respond to a Press query on the impending job losses
we have heard that threat before..Please try something else.You said the same thing with Mopani and Luanshya mine.
Toothless Kambwili, unless you are the one paying these employees salaries then there is nothing you or your corrupt paymaster Lungu can do.
By the way your support in Roan constituency is waning down
Aleisa HH
Mr. Chimbwi-li you used to issue the same threats until 4,500-plus jobs were lost. You need to change your tactics if you’re still interested in the miners’ vote.
Abanabo!!! Being the usual classroom bully.
What ever a PF cadre says the opposite is the absolute truth. People working for Chibuluma mine should prepare themselves for job losses and start making plans for survival.
2016 vote UPND and help save Zambia from the disaster caused by PF.
Ati, heads will roll…stupidity…does this man think before opening his mouth.
How you want him to think if he is brainless?
Just a lump of brainless *****
They did not respond. That tells it all. Who responds to a foool.
Shut your mouth you fat pig, its not the first time you are issuing such threats
I thought our government has a new way of sorting these issues by turning miners into kachemas, giving loans to marketeers. Zambia will never be the same as long as we have ba kambwili, ba Davies chama, ba frank Bwalya, ba Mumbi Phiri, ba Sunday…..as our leaders. No wonder I have little faith in most politicians.
Sir Shut up !
aaaaaaa Mutinyafye ba kambwili….Efyo mwalandile nakuli ba Mopani, its a story at a NSAKA iyo mulevaiba. twalimishiba… threats and heads will roll , where?
Just a loose canon.
The minister is right and will always be right on this one. There has never been job losses on the copperbelt but people have had their employment terminated..Get it right there is a difference between a Job and employment….The jobs are still there go in the mine and see for yourselves…… Its employment which is not happening….Viva Minister….Viva Copperstone Graduate……..
You’re drunk go away.
@Msanawanzili, how could you leave me at the bar drinking alone after you bought so much beer….
infact the objection should first come from the Minister of Labour F.S and the Union Rep not the a spokesperson frm govt that’s why you end up being told the jobs have been lost and the affected employess should use there terminal benefits wisely.Chibuluma has already given land to some of these miners in kalulushi area just opposite Napsa housing complex so we can conclude that jobs have already been lost at Chilubulma.
Is it just Kambwili who is or entire PF? We heard these same sentiments on Luanshya Mine, Mopani and now Chibuluma!
Look up the meaning of allow/allowing in the dictionary and you will see govt has no say in all this.
No ones takes your seriously Kambwili, its not the first time you are issuing such toothless statements. Stop wasting peoples time and hopes. Please quickly start the process of securing land and better retrenchment packages for the would be affected miners. Haven’t you realized that nothing you have ever said has worked out? Please save yourself the shame again. Last time you were boed in launshya, careful this time you will be stoned to death. A hungry Man is an Angry Man. Seriously! Your are so shallow in thinking!. I end here.
Which heads will roll ba Kambwili sure? Yours? Your are first lying about yourself! you have no neck, how will you roll your head! Mudala, we dont take your toothless statements seriously anymore, its not the first time your are issuing such threats. Continue with your ‘Its Global message even in chile and Southafrica, miners are being laid off’.Not this, this is not for you! Pena apa mwapusa bakalamba!
Heads will ROLL!!!!!1 HEHEHEHEHE
Too late you lame duck. Chibuluma started with pruning 77 contract employees where were you Mr Tough Minister. I like Lungu he is smart he start by putting you at a ministry were you have easy access to expose you idiocy. Your presidential ambition are crashed. Chibuluma sent these letters why back to its employees.
sort those mines out Kambwilli ,like you done the last time you said no miner will be retrenched.
WHY IS THIS USELESS BU770CK STILL SPEWING HOT AIR??
Surely Mr “I Threaten, I Warn You”- all talk no action Chimbwili, should be busy packing his bags, in preparation for getting thrown out of government, come 2016!