Thursday, March 28, 2024

Government will not allow mine owners to lay off workers with impunity-President Lungu

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President Edgar Lungu greets Supporters at South down airport in Kalulushi
President Edgar Lungu greets Supporters at South down airport in Kalulushi

President Edgar Lungu has said government will not allow mine owners to lay off workers with impunity.

President Lungu said his administration will not be intimidated by threats from mine owners.

The Head of State said this at Southdown airstrip in Kalulushi district upon arrival for a two day visit to the Copperbelt province.

President Lungu said the new mine tax regime, which mine owners are using as an excuse, is not a factor because all mines are capable of paying the new taxes.

He reminded investors in the mining industry that the mines and minerals are assets of the country which Zambians must benefit from through taxes to build the much needed roads, health centres, and schools among others.

President Lungu wondered why investors in Zambian mines are resisting the new mine tax when elsewhere in the world, they are paying the same levies.

The President however said he is ready to dialogue and negotiate with mine owners who feel aggrieved with the new mine tax regime.

Mr. Lungu has since urged the mine union leaders to continue protecting the welfare of miners.

And President Lungu has urged the Patriotic Front (PF) in the Copperbelt Province to continue being a role model of democracy to other regions and stakeholders in the country.

President Lungu said the PF in the Copperbelt has done well in organising and mobilising the party.

He said he expects the PF to remain united as it holds its provincial elective conference to usher in a new leadership to steer the party.

Outgoing PF Provincial Chairman Stephen Kainga assured President Lungu that the party is strong and intact and ready for the 2021 general elections.

And Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe reported to President Lungu that the region is set to unleash its development potential in its 22 constituencies and 10 districts.

Mr. Nundwe said civil servants are geared not to meltdown government developmental programmes.

President Lungu is accompanied to the province by PF national chairman Samuel Mukupa, Presidential Affairs Minister Freedom Sikazwe and senior government and party officials.

He was welcomed at the airstrip by PF Secretary General Davies Mwila, Cabinet Ministers, senior government and party officials and party sympathisers from across the Copperbelt province.

46 COMMENTS

  1. We just hope our Kateka has thought through this and we hope he has plan B should the unthinkable happen! We the miners will not spare PF in 2021 if you cause us misery when you had a good chance to dialogue with the Chamber of Mines! I hope ECL understands the cost structure of each mine in Zambia especially the low grade mines in Kalumbila and Lumwana! Hope you have not forgotten Mr ECL about the 100% increase in Electricity and Processing plants run on electricity! Cost of fuel and taxes introduced on low Sulfur Diesel which the mines use for their machinery is prohibitively expensive in Zambia! Instead of doing a business analysis, we are issuing Tarmac statements that keep on aggravating the situation! In case this is not clear to ECL, what the mine owners are saying is they have to…

    • He speaks like an illiterate kabova.

      – Extensive consultation should have been done before introducing mineral taxes & scraping VAT for the impractical Sales Tax.

    • You have spoken my mind bro and besides,other mines don’t import spares and equipment for there mines.Why shouldn’t we invest in the Manufacturing Industry and not just these malls tarmac?

    • Logic you speak only in support of your job. These mining companies are paying more tax to Britain or Australia than they are paying in Zambia & you are there breaking it down in their support just for you ka salary that will only be for a few years until you yourself are of no use to the very mine. It’s sad to be Zambian. A salary is more important than the benefits to the country

    • If the mines can not pay sustainable taxes; if the can not provide sustainable jobs; if the can not provide sustainable backward, forward, side-stream and lateral linkages; if the mines can not provide sustainable environmental and social benefits, then shut the mines and leave the minerals in the soil for future generations.

      Meantime, legalize it. Industrialize. Grow the economy. Create sustainable jobs. Heal the Nation. End poverty!

    • What type of a leader is this who has never had a press conference yet he has made thousands of statements on airport tarmacs in a year…the lazy coward thinks being President is about working visits!!

    • JUNIOR you have lamentably failed to make a profit from Zamtel …you think you can run a mine. Please sit down go and brag to your fellow dull PF cadres in your whatsup forums!!

    • Does that mean Zambia is closed for business again due to government interference? The guy was recently in Japan to ‘woo’ investors or did he just go to earn allowances? Stup!dy Lungu and Ester.

    • @B R Mumba, Sr he eat client money wen was a lawyer corrupt man and mwananwasa banned him but yet zed pipo voted for him lol

  2. We just hope our Kateka has thought through this and we hope he has plan B should the unthinkable happen! We the miners will not spare PF in 2021 if you cause us misery when you had a good chance to dialogue with the Chamber of Mines! I hope ECL understands the cost structure of each mine in Zambia especially the low grade mines in Kalumbila and Lumwana! Hope you have not forgotten Mr ECL about the 100% increase in Electricity and Processing plants run on electricity! Cost of fuel and taxes introduced on low Sulfur Diesel which the mines use for their machinery is prohibitively expensive in Zambia! Instead of doing a business analysis, we are issuing Tarmac statements that keep on aggravating the situation! In case this is not clear to ECL, what the mine owners are saying is they have to…

    • Lungu wondered why investors in Zambian mines are resisting the new mine tax when elsewhere in the world, they are paying the same levies. Haven’t
      I heard this from a parrot at State House?

    • Dialogue about what with Chamber of Mines? They only want one thing and that is their members not pay tax as they have been enjoying themselves at our expense.

  3. In case this is not clear to ECL, what the mine owners are saying is they have to close shop and put mines under care and maintenance until the business climate normalized!
    Unfortunately it’s too late now. All miners will be laid off! It’s a hard business decision and not the arm-twisting that is being alleged! In any case, it appears our GRZ is the one arm-twisting mines because of liquidity problems arising from over-borrowing! You will come to the table with the Chamber of Mines soon when the SH1T hits the ceiling fan!

    • Have you forgotten LAP-Green saga? Sata grabbed zamtel from LAP-Green after RB sold it to the Libyans.

      PF govt is struggling to repay $350 Million to cr00ks organized by RB, who claim to be LAP-Green representatives.

  4. Now look who’s talking here yet he’s an active participant.Double talk won’t save you Lungu your misguided policies have been ruining and running down the economy with impunity.

    • The sad part with hearing this from Lungu is that even if the mines complied and paid the taxes,you will only see continued stealing whilst our president pretends he aint seen nothing,or questionable expenditure and Chitotela in his dullness justifying the expenditure because of how complex whatever tjey spend the money on is…sad…..

  5. Its time for Zambia to get a fair share from our minerals. These mine owners have been cheating on VAT with inflated invoices. You can’t get both the profits and our money and you think we must continue sleeping. Let them pack and go. ZCCM Holdings must take over and look for better partners. Let’s give the Chinese to mine so they can take the copper to China. As if the West is only place.

    Lungu must remain strong with the decision on Sales Tax.

    • Then develop your own mines so that you dont cheat on vat. Why do you wait for others to invest in the mines thats when you start harassing them.

  6. “The President however said he is ready to dialogue and negotiate with mine owners who feel aggrieved with the new mine tax regime”.

    Out of all the hot air (meant for PF party cadres), the message is here in this short statement.
    Even Sata had one message for brain malnourished PF cadres, to chase away the Chinese when he comes to power, and another message for the rest of the country, invite the Chinese to lunch at State House when he assumed power.
    That’s PF for you, the only party in the history of Zambia that was able to bring the national economy to its knees and at the mercy of IMF in less than five years and claim to have developed the country.
    For the avoidance of doubt, trib.als are not the option. Certainly not directionless uninspiring politically underfive publicity…

  7. …..For the avoidance of doubt, trib.als are not the option. Certainly not directionless uninspiring politically underfive publicity seeking Trib.al Hacks.
    Kikikikikikikiki…..

    • No, it’s a bunch of gobbledygook. He says mines should pay the taxes but then says he is willing to “dialogue”. What does that mean? Equally, he wants to create jobs but makes threats when companies plan to lay workers off. In the end, such threats either end up hollow or make companies very cautious in taking new workers on. Either way, it is not how to spur long-term job growth!

      Far better, I’m sure, would be for “your President EL” to stick to his plan (if he has one?) and not allow himself and his Cabinet to be baited by the mines over and over. Instead, he should have confidence that the new tax policy will achieve big and good things so needs to stick to that plan and avoid making desperate threats.

  8. Zambian we love to pull down good move which will benefit everyone including you people who are speaking negative against the president. Let us all move together and support this noble cause. Its time the country started benefiting from its resources.

  9. Our president means well for us let’s support them don’t mind opposition someone has stolen shares they are ever against.They even refuse there own stool sorry.someone sold mines today he is telling and fooling Zambians that you are suffering.Thieves you steal tomorrow sti you want to be president Kaluga,JJ chibwili.Forget we know you thieves you can create stories but that will not help u even after ecl it will be someone else not anyone of you.

  10. Some one because of being selfish saw a chance to rob the Zambian govt as if he is not a Zambian,but one day he will be caught up with his deeds.So its time to rally behind our republican president ECL,if the mine investors want to go let them leave we have another generation to come and benefit from the mines.so abash to crooked investors,why cant thy go?it is cos thy marking profits.Cobalt sales is not declared why?Those with low grade copper,thy should there copper to KCM which as high grade and thy do business with KCM.these thins are happening, so please this is our country.

  11. People you should be asking us who work in the mines. These guys have been rooting our resources like no mans business. Simply because they are white doesn’t mean they mean good to our country. I see a lot of Gold and other minerals hidden in trucks laden with copper ores being exported without declaration. The Government loses Billions of dollars to these crooks you call investors on a daily basis and you telling me that they cant pay sales tax? Those outside the system know nothing of what happens here in the mines. Why do you think they dont want to leave the mines if they are making losses? One of my Boer supervisor said it to my face that you Zambians are docile see the wealth that is slipping off your hands while you are sleeping. Wake up Zambians don’t just symphasise with these…

  12. Picture this…….the layoffs are recived with mixed emotions. But as we are in a hurry to develop all layedoff miners will be retrained and fitted into other sectors where we have acute labour shortages….the $17 billion debt incurd on infrastructure has created unprecedented industrial development with exports and GDP booming……

    Oohhh……dear me, it was a wet dream….lungu and PF done a dunnuna reverse on the country and stole most of the money…..

  13. Picture this…….
    the layoffs are recived with mixed emotions. But as we are in a hurry to develop all layedoff miners will be retrained and fitted into other sectors where we have acute labour shortages….the $17 billion debt incurd on infrastructure has created unprecedented industrial development with exports and GDP booming……

    Oohhh……dear me, it was a wet dream….lungu and PF done a dunnuna reverse on the country and stole most of the money by giving them selves $1million/km road contracts instead of investing in manufacturing to cut imports and boost exports..…..now we are back to square one with good roads but no jobs…

  14. Many Zambians including our leaders don’t understand what PROFIT is and no wonder many Zambian businesses grind to Zero. Let me give a grade 1 example. If you invest K10,000 into your business, it doesn’t mean every kwacha you collect in revenue is profit! You must recover your Capital of K10,000 and all other Costs before you can talk of Profit. Now let’s stretch this example further. Suppose in your business plan you planned to spend K6,000 on Electricity and fuel, then you find GRZ increasing your Electricity by 100%, then your revised cost for Electricity becomes K12,000, well in excess of your Capital. In addition, GRZ increases your Monthly Rentals from a budget of K1,000 to K3,000, it means your business is no longer a viable venture because your initial Capital has fallen short…

  15. In addition, GRZ increases your Monthly Rentals from a budget of K1,000 to K3,000, it means your business is no longer a viable venture because your initial Capital has fallen short of your costs! Mines run on borrowed money from Shareholders or Investors who agree to lend a lot of their money at premiums, say 20% interest. The mines therefore have other Financial obligations like Interest costs and dividend obligations to their shareholders apart from just the taxes they have to pay. So GRZ must work on the cost of doing business then there will be enough disposable income to tax the way it was during the Mwanawasa Era! Business Climate must be predictable for Business Plans to work! This craze to want to introduce taxes left-right-Centre is what they call Debt distress! We are in debt…

  16. We are in debt distress because we have over borrowed as an Economy! For the Zambian Citizens, let’s put the pressure on our leaders and make them accountable to us! Government is US the citizens, not the ruling party and their opposition friends! (GRZ of the PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE and BY THE PEOPLE)! Trouble is we the Zambian citizens are not doing our Job of providing checks and balances and we think it’s the job of the opposition. Even when the mines are made to pay those high taxes, which I don’t see them doing, all the tax money will go into the politician’s pockets through their salaries, allowances and their companies that get money in the name of tenders at inflated costs to the treasury! Trouble is, we believe too much in our leaders as though they were our gods and this is…

  17. Trouble is, we believe too much in our leaders as though they were our gods and this is why they have been very successful using Religion to deceive the masses! When politicians ask you to close your eyes in prayer, that’s the moment you need to wake up! The root cause of this mine tax impass is the debt distress we are in! Trouble is, we may end up with nothing should all mines stop their operations! Instead of wasting time and money investigating the Privatization from which nothing will be found, why not redirect our energy towards coming up with a strategy to increase GRZ shareholding in the Mines so that we benefit from Dividend pay outs as well apart from just taxes? Do we have Tax and Business Experts in Zambia? For our Eyes to see clearly, let us the PEOPLE (GRZ) remove politics…

  18. Do we have Tax and Business Experts in Zambia? For our Eyes to see clearly, let us the PEOPLE (GRZ) remove politics and Politicians from this Analysis because our biggest problem in Africa are Politicians for whom we must arrange Metaphorical Mass Barrials! May I propose that we drop this Royalty tax increment and raise more money through Dividents by increasing our stake of Shareholding in the Mines than queuing for left overs in Royalty taxes!! Why are our so called Experts not advising our leaders correctly?

  19. Corruption scandals: Social Security Cash Luxury Presidential Jet Ambulances Fire Trucks Mukula Trees Ndola-Lusaka Rd Malawi Maizegate Fuelgate Swaziland landgate Zesco Loans Corruption scandals: Social Security Cash Luxury Presidential Jet Ambulances Fire Trucks Mukula Trees Ndola-Lusaka Rd Malawi Maizegate Fuelgate Swaziland landgate Zesco Loans

    I’m all up for responsible and sustainable taxes that benefit the country’s poor. But really who says “not allow mine owners to lay off workers”? Jeez what type of open business economy is this? Who determines who has to be laid off? This isn’t a government company he’s talking about , is it? And I wouldn’t think mining companies would just deliberately lay off workers on purpose and risk losing productivity these workers put out. Laying off workers is a business decision not a political decision last time I checked. Maybe the mining companies can tell Lungu and his minions that they will keep the workers employed and Lungu can provide them with money to pay their salaries. This guy is talking like he controls the mines like he controls his cadres. These are businesses…

    • Corruption scandals: Social Security Cash Luxury Presidential Jet Ambulances Fire Trucks Mukula Trees Ndola-Lusaka Rd Malawi Maizegate Fuelgate Swaziland landgate Zesco Loans Corruption scandals: Social Security Cash Luxury Presidential Jet Ambulances Fire Trucks Mukula Trees Ndola-Lusaka Rd Malawi Maizegate Fuelgate Swaziland landgate Zesco Loans

      …These are businesses that operate on profits for their shareholders.

      The problem here also is the stealing, looting and mismanagement this Lungu man and his minions are… even if revenue came through from the mines, the money will just end up in their pockets. Pathetic!

  20. Information just received is that the family who lost goods stolen by driver employed by a secretary to a police boss of Lusaka central police is fro solwezi.she lost goods plus phone ment for the wedding.
    Media help this lady she is being troubled by police who continue hiding this driver. The case is at police cid now as at 1/01/19 and it happened on 30/12/18

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