Mine Contractors, Factories and Allied Workers Union President, Nkweto Kasonka, has disclosed that 15 manganese processing factories in Central Province have resumed operations after they were forced to shut down due to prolonged load shedding.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka today, Mr Kasonka said the shutdown of the 15 factories in 2025, led to significant job losses, with over 2,000 workers affected in areas such as Kabwe, Serenje and surrounding districts.
He confirmed that all the affected factories have since resumed operations, with a substantial number of workers reinstated.
The Union President pointed out that most of the factories are currently operating at only 50 percent capacity due to limited power supply.
Mr Kasonka has since appealed to the government to further engage ZESCO Limited to increase electricity allocation to the affected industries.
“We are happy that the factories have resumed operations and workers are back, but we appeal to the government to ensure full power supply so that companies can operate at 100 percent capacity,” he said.
He emphasised that full power supply would enable the factories to operate at maximum capacity and create more employment opportunities.
Mr Kasonka also raised concern over the high cost of copper for local industries, noting that companies are forced to buy the commodity at international prices despite it being produced locally.
He urged the government to consider policy interventions that would allow local firms to access copper at more competitive rates, stating that such measures would strengthen domestic production and industrial growth.
WOW Elections every year please
“have resumed operations after they were forced to shut down due to prolonged load shedding”
And somebody says there was a lot of growth during loadshedding time and GDP is up.
All propaganda I assumw