In a strong denouncement of what they deem as an insult to the hardworking miners of MOPANI Copper Mines, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have condemned the K600 salary offer presented by IHR, a Dubai-based investor. The offer, which represents a mere 10% salary increment, has been characterized by the EFF as demeaning and unacceptable, considering the dire working conditions endured by Zambian miners.
The promised 25% salary increment, which was initially seen as a beacon of hope for the suffering miners, has been callously disregarded by IHR, according to the EFF. In response, the EFF demands immediate intervention from the UPND government led by President Hakainde Hichilema to compel IHR to honor the promised increment and address the appalling working conditions at MOPANI Copper Mines.
The EFF highlights the alarming discrepancy in wages between Zambian miners and their counterparts in neighboring countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa, where miners earn more than double their Zambian counterparts. This wage stagnation coupled with soaring living costs leaves Zambian miners struggling to support themselves and their families.
Below is the Full Press statement
As the Economic Freedom Fighters-EFF, we stand in staunch condemnation of the insulting and demeaning K600 offer presented by IHR, the Dubai-based investor, to the suffering miners of MOPANI Copper Mines. This offer, representing a mere 10% salary increment, is a slap in the face of hardworking Zambian miners who have endured deplorable working conditions for far too long.
We demand that the UPND government under President Hakainde Hichilema immediately intervenes and compels IHR to honor the promised 25% salary increment, as well as to address the abhorrent working conditions at MOPANI Copper Mines. The promise of improved conditions and fair compensation was the beacon of hope for these miners, yet it has been callously disregarded by IHR.
It is unacceptable that Zambian miners are now among the lowest-paid in the region, with counterparts in the D.R. Congo and South Africa earning more than double their wages. The cost of living in Zambia has soared, yet the wages of these hardworking individuals remain stagnant and insufficient to support themselves and their families.
Therefore, we issue the following demands:
1. IHR must immediately honor the promised K2,500 salary increment and abandon the insulting offer of a mere K600 increase.
2. The UPND government must reject any offer by IHR to acquire 50% shares in Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), as consolidating our major mines under one foreign investor poses significant risks to our national sovereignty and economic stability.
3. We call upon the Hakainde Hichilema administration to subject the sale of MOPANI Copper Mines to IHR to parliamentary approval, as it currently stands as an illegal transaction in violation of the Zambian Constitution.
The exploitation of Zambian miners by foreign investors cannot be tolerated any longer. The Economic Freedom Fighters-EFF will continue to advocate for the rights and dignity of our workers, and we expect nothing less than immediate action from the government to rectify this injustice.
Wherever we want to go our feet will take us there.
Kasonde Mwenda C
Economic Freedom Fighters-EFF President.
k600 = $25? Can you please state for how long workers will have toil to get a $25 This is less than what copper miners get in an hour. In the US, the average salary for underground copper mines is $27.27 per hour.
get the full details and tell us what is there. You want them to give 100% increment before they sale a single stone? These are private sector who want profit for their investments
Economic Freedom Fighters….more like opportunists.
We told your that giving a country to a privatization thief will be a new slavery. Keep singing Chololo as a new slave song.
Why PF criminals failed to open this mine you lazy man???? PF criminals are gone and dusted forget about PF criminals
Impala ya ku puma dye. After you are not miner
Let the union react to that.by the way have increased to workers in your party?
Initially how much minners where being paid by the same company????EFF one man party did you raised any issue when this company was closed? PF criminals failed to open this company you were just quit!!!. today you want to sound intelligent forget about issue to the union