Federation of Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ) president Joyce Simukoko has condemned the recent violence perpetuated by Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) unionized workers over salary increments.
Mrs Simukoko says violence retards national development hence the need for workers to avoid such activities for the betterment of the country.
She said this is why there is need for management and workers to consider engaging themselves in constructive dialogue and come with lasting solutions to address such problems.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, the FFTUZ leader has since urged workers in the country to devise go channels of airing out their grievances than resulting to violence.
She said there is need for KCM management and workers to consider engaging themselves in constructive dialogue and come with lasting solutions to address such problems.
She further advised the affected workers that demonstrations and destroying of property is not a good way of resolving labour disputes if the country is to develop both socially and economically.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Simukoko also called on employers’ country to put in place effective measures of addressing workers complaints to avoid demonstrations that result in reduced production and damage of property.
She noted that workers have the right to complain or bargain for improved conditions, when they feel they salaries do not match with the amount of production that they do.
She regretted that employers in many companies do not respect the rights of workers such as improving their conditions despite them making positive contributions towards increased production and profits.
Mrs. Simukoko has further added that to this effect, workers feel that the only way their can force management to consider uplifting their plight is through engaging in demonstrations.
KCM unionized workers in Chingola yesterday downed tools and demanded to be given information on the status of 100 percent salary negotiations between management and their two unions.
10 people have since been arrested when irate KCM employees destroyed property worth millions of kwacha and blocked roads.
ZANIS
Ama organisations ubwingi ku Zambia! Ngaba fffutuzi nilisa batampile?
KCM iwe give them their 100%. They go alone pamugodi and its a very risk job. Naimwe bashimaini mulekula mumano dont destroye the property. Pasop.
# 1. Ala nipa ZEDI pano. Bwafya
We know how you (Joyce) have changed since Mwanawasa died.You were against Levy because of FTJ.You enjoy with your families while the miners are suffering.SHUT YO BIG MOUTH!
Yesterday one Dickson Jere was boasting that RB has done alot for the miners and that miners are happy. Many bloggers reminded Dick that he was not on the ground so he should just close his mouth. To day we are told that miners have gone on strike at KCM citing among others, the disparities in wages between Indians and Zambians doing the same jos such as boiler maker. Now Dick should tell us why GRZ can allow an ordinary welder to travel half the world and get this job when our people are just wandering without jobs.
# 5 Deja Vu. I totally agree with you. We have a lot of boiler makers in the country who are just languishing the streets. Government is supposed to create employment for the people. But how can you create employment when even sweepers have to come from outside. It is being irresponsible on the part of government. Can a boiler maker be given a work permit in India? I am not supporting the behaviour of the miners in airing their grievances but it is such attitudes from government that lead to late stone age reactions.
A person called Dick can never be anything more than a Dick Deja Vu! You know what am saying? (Last sentence in American yob accent please. It will sound better. Or try it in a yo Zambian accent.lol)
Yes government is committed at developing the nation. President Rupiah Banda has shown that he has the country and the people in it at heart by working tirelessly to ensure that the right economic environment is put in place for job creation. This is the first time in Zambia’s history that we have what someone once called the 3 E’s (Economist as Bank of Zambia GOV, Economist as Minister of Finance and National Planning, Economist as President) as the 3 E’s are heading the most sensitive government organs that have the potential to steer the economy of the nation. We have full confidence that under the 3 E’s, the economy will greatly develop. We have confidence in your administration President Rupiah Banda.
Joyce Nonde is right when she says miners and KCM management should engage in constructive discussions. But I am sure the miners have done this for long time but to no avail. So they resort to stones to try and compel management and govt to hear their grievances. The problem is Zambia is that we always look at the consequences and try to solve problems from there without looking at the root causes. The root cause is what should be addressed by the relevant authorities.
“Chila mubili namafunde namafi,” this is the situation that is prevailing as people analyse this issue. Most of the bloggers above have observed the lack of Leadership in this Government down to the miners themselves as stated by Oswell Munyenyembe of MUZ, but to look at this matter differently would be like the outset statement in inverted commas. Let’s be objective even; why did the miners resort to riotus behaviour, while rioting is not at all condoned, it was a last resort as the union and management probably kept dodging the workers. Ultimately even mgt andunions are part of the problem. I have worked in the mines the past 14 years, I know what am saying here.
It’s the duty of every government – especially one, we’re told by Jere, that has done so well in the mining sector – to put in p[lace labor laws that favor development. So, Jere, what say you now, son?
This govt has a vision and policies that will move the nation forward. The problem is Zambians concentrate more on politics and not economic activities taking place in the nation. There is a construction boom in Lusaka and industries are flocking into the country because of the sound investment climate in the nation.
#8 & #12. Mrs Capitalist. My niece sent me a text asking for just K400, 000.00 to pay for her school fees. Can I give you my phone number please so we arrange you pay for her?
Joyce shud kno by now that a zambian only reacts violently when pushed to da limit.
its nt fair that indians with same or less qualificatns and skills r given $6000 wen locals r given $500. On top of that indians r accomodated in newly built company houses with a co.maid wen locals pay out rent from da same salary. Given car loans,education allowances for their kids etc. Wat do our locals hv to show for their sweat and hardwork?? Yawns!!
This our country..If they r nt treated any beta here,which country wud they go to,to receive da treatment da FOREIGNERS get here. Enuff is enuff.. Twanaka!! Oh is that being born zambian lishamo??
Off topic bane. Red nose fined 20 gruddas and given a two match ban. The i d i o t gets away with murder! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
It is Munyenyembe and his friends who have not inspired the miners. These guys have been sleeping and just chewing miners contributions and they want to blame RB. It is them that need to be crusified period. I used to be in the union with the late Pwele and we never used to tolerate such nonsense from mgt. Fight for your workers. when the price of copper dropped these guys were quick to cut labour and other conditions and you agreed with them. why are you not quick to engage them. Sleepy MUZ of today.
Sad to note that Zambians are very far from reality and dont know exactly why they are poor and remain so for this 45Years of independence. we have world class millionaires who got they richies from Zambia. Our Politcians are happy with the Blown Evelopes they gett from these investors. KCM is fun and are triying to manage the Mine as though they are runing a shop were every employee is one others spy. How one understands the K2m pay raise to just one deparment of the Mine. The so called new smeltor.
where ar u journalists when things ar happening ,muvi tv denied entry in the plant and today pipo ar forced in the plant under gun point and made to sign like in colonial days,and the govt.is watching workers rights being infringed.who will stop this nonsense?
BUSHE BASHI MINE KUTI BANTAPA FYE UKUPOSA AMABWE APAFYE,NO THE POLICE INFLUENCED DE SITUATION,WE VE NO GOVT.NO UNION N SO KUILWISHISHA!
We seem to have a very big problem in this country, Employers, government inclusive do not believe in dialogue. They always want people to react in form of strikes and violent acts in order to give there employees what they need.
The other big problem we have is that we think as anyone with a white skin should be given expariate conditions. What is it that an indian boiler maker has to get $6000 per month compared to a zambian only to be given less than $500?