Government says it will not allow the mining giants, Konkola Copper Mine (KCM), to lay off one thousand five hundred workers.
Mines Minister, Christopher Yaluma has told QFM News that the Patriotic Front (PF) government is doing its level best in ensuring that these workers do not lose their jobs.
Mr. Yaluma says government will not support any company to send so many people to the streets knowing that the people need jobs.
The PF Malole member of parliament states that government will see how best it can dialogue with KCM to ensure that the one thousand five hundred workers do not lose their jobs.
He reiterates that the PF government will not give up until it ensures that Zambians have descent jobs.
When you get all the money to yourselves. I thought it is a private sector and only the unions can negotiate and report to you.
Supposing they close up? What happens. Thus why cabinet meetings are very important to know what is happening in the country. Now yourselves kaya mwandi
There is nothing to mine, the minerals are finished, of course you lay them off
All mines have a life cycle. They are being laid off because they are not need and are not being replaced by anyone.
The minister should focus on helping the laid off minsters get work in his government if he is so concerned
Thanks
you Mr Yaluma,, You dont know that the copper deposits underground are depleted…
copper naipwa!! so tell those ex-miners to go home and wait for your govt to employ them after two years…
This will be a big headache for the government. The government should just start negotiating generous redundancy packages for those poor souls and lift any tax breaks they gave KCM.
Government intervention is only meaningful if the layoffs are unjustified or if there is evidence that the retrenchees will be replaced by expatriate labour. Otherwise, the action is unreasonable politicking in a market driven economy.
Let’s have independent experts in geology, in particular the geology of Konkola copper mines to comment. You need accurate geological data to deduce the actual quantities of copper reserves, and not just rely on the reports KCM Indians – the game is also in the ore grades!
Wapya munzi
This should be interesting. How do you force a company to employ people it does not need?
Especially when you yourselves (PF Govt) have put in place a two year employment (freeze) moratorium.
Reasons KCM is. Giving 4 laying off workers are difficult to opose. Nchanga open pit and u/ground to be closed. God help us!
these clueless hyenas. they do not know whether they are coming or they are going. they now want to make cooperate decisions yet they fail to have cabinet meetings. yaaaba, we are heading to hell fast with these lizards in the driving seat
Come government you can`t do anything about this issue.The laying off is inevitable.You can`t force the mine to keep workers it has no use for.They have said that they are going to mechanize some sections instead of using human labour.This is something normal and happens everywhere in the world.Technology is changing.
*come on government*
Saulosi !!!!!!!
@Saulosi today you are very objective. I agree with you all the way. Since the government has plans to create tens of thousands of jobs in 2014 shouldn’t they earmark these people for re-absorption into the labour force instead of forcing KCM to keep them?
Nomer uno _ monk louie
Politicians’ primary concern is the ballot-box. They don’t want to lose Ba shi Maini as they are a significant voting block – never mind the economics of it.
Right on target Black Mama. Every time they hear news like this, it’s not the plight of the workers that immediately flashes through their minds, hell no, it’s the plight of their votes! My heart bleeds for the miners, think of their kids and dependants. It’s hard enough as it is right now buying a bag of mealie meal at almost 80 pin while you are working, nomba when u’re out of a job? Thats beyond unbearable.
@dudelove
You hit the nail on the head. After mansa bye elections I dont know if any minister will be there to address these KCM miners. I hope they will otherwise PF’s political fortunes will dwindle really fast in CB.
You’re right Black Mama. Every time politicians come to the end of the tunnel they go out and buy more tunnel just so they can stay relevant to the voter.
You can’t force companies to employee against what’s profitable for them. You yourselves won’t employ for the next two years and you want your friends to support unsustainable jobs? Bloody hypocrites!
Let the Government employ the 1500 if at all they care unlike issuing empty threats to private companies!
Good evening
The statement does NOT qualify as threat, in fact, it is nowhere near it.
A threat is a statement saying you will be harmed if you do not do what someone wants you to do, but that’s NOT what the minister is saying.
He is saying the government will not support any company to send so many people to the streets and hence the need for dialogue. If you have come accross Labour Law then you would know that THERE ARE alternatives to retrenchments IF employers make an effort to find them. A few examples are: reducing unnecessary expenses, curtailment of wastage, agreed pay cuts, working short time, temporary layoffs, job sharing and freezing recruitment.
Looks like the battle lines have been drawn. Can the government legally force a company not to lay off employees if it has followed the right protocols?
Yes it can but only under a State of Emergency, this is pursuant to the Employment Special Provisions Act Cap 270. You may note that this is for obvious reasons during such a period.
Yes it can but only under a State of Emergency, this is pursuant to the Employment Special Provisions Act Cap 270. You may note that this is for obvious reasons during such a period.
Sorry I ment that u need to be in a state of emergency first. That’s the only time that this statute kicks in and 2/3 majority of parliament must ratify it first
Same thing will happen to lumwana in the very near future. Nothing lasts forever. It’s a wake up call for Zambia you can’t rely heavily on mining. Any way most of the mines are owned by foreigners and the Zambian people don’t really benefit from it. Look at the infrastucture!!!!
State advisors should be working deals as go betweens for mining companies to try and negotiate on the possibility of other mines to take on essential workers from the 1500 bracket. Not all can be abosorbed but surely somethin can be done. the figure is way too much as a one time layoff.
The GRZ is right – the so called investors (Anglo American as an example) have been telling us that Copper is finished since 1990s which is not true because we are still mining!!
This situations just needs to be properly managed not dumping Zambian workers anyhow. Just because KCM has started mechanising and automating does not mean that people should be treated as disposables!
Mining should be for the benefit of Zambians first and foremost and Investors after that. It really doesnt matter if the investor goes – we can keep our minerals for the benefit of the next generation
49 years of lndependance Zambia can’t produce miners that can own the mines .Shame !U have school of mines at unza but de demons can’t own mines They re just job seekers. ‘Kubwabwatafye no kwiba’ nechisungu mukanwa 4 nothing.fo ols!Don’t blame pf
@Osmore
Did you know that UNZA mining engineers are on high demand abroad. How can they start mines when applications for such ventures now only favour PF members.
We no longer trust our govt.KCM deducted PAYE frm our salaries even when govt had said they would not allow kcm to do so.It seems kcm is more powerful than govt.We are just waiting for termination letters.
KCM have failed to mine the open pit ever since they terminated U&M contract they have never had stock pile to crush. because even there state of heart new East Mill concetrator its a disaster its always on and off. there main concern its to maximise profit but they dont buy equipment to use to run the plant. and they are busy bringing illitrate indians to come and be engineers.
What is the real reason for firing all those people? If there are no more minerals to be mined, then am afraid it’s game over, If government wants to help the masses, it should do so by creating new jobs, so many creative people around yet no one can come up with any thing practicle? What a sad story, the whole lot of that country has failed to create even a few new jobs this year? Am not throwing stones just being realistic, Stop fighting and stealing start helping this nation by being innovative and inventive. Dont shoot am just speaking my mind on real issues!
The government is more concerned of votes they will loose from 1500 workers plus their family members.
Approve the kalumbila project so that FQM can employ them all.
Please, mr minister try to reason with kcm-there is no ore 2 mine.
1. I will comment on ‘Wanzelu and 2.Simuzhi. UNZA mining engineers are on high demand abroad’. ‘YES’ In fact, that is why, I contradict with Simuzhi, the Copper Ore could still be there for another 50 years and more. Let me tell you the scenario. True story. SWAP GEOLOGISTS / HOLD THE TRUE MINERAL WORTH IN DARK
Highly qualified Geologist ARE employed by mining companies in Zambia THENsent to explore in countries like Senegal, Mali, Siera Leone, South Africa etc, where these companies have interest and shares. In exchange, they bring foreign geologists to explore minerals in Zambia.
The implications: Zambians you will never know the true extent of mineral RSERVE and so are those respective countries. all information is with mining conglomerate. they can pull ANY STING SUCH AS THAT…
This is in response to wat.chdo.g item on FQM.
Hat.red for a person shall not make us lose focus. FQM owners are crooks. The people at the helm of affairs are Zimbabwean Muzungu. They were engaged in smuggling of copper and precious metals from DRC and Cobalt from Zambia. They were arrested in the first republic and saved by a lawyer who was a member of parliament and convinced KK to let these fellow off the hook. When these smugglers took over Kansanshi Mines and invested in Mopani they rewarded the late lawyer from Kitwe by appointing him director on their outfits.
Let us not be blinded by our hat.red for fellow Zambians, whatever our political inclinations and alignments. FQM has been exporting gold disguised as copper ore. Solwezi mine is rich in gold and if they do not shut…
Let us not be blinded by our hat.red for fellow Zambians, whatever our political inclinations and alignments. FQM has been exporting gold disguised as copper ore. Solwezi mine is rich in gold and if they do not shut up and use social media to hide their crimes, there are persons who are still alive in the police, legal fraternity, UNIP central committee (MCCs) and our own KK who forgave them.
This govt, i suppose this yaluma thing just spoke to the media and there is nothing official addressed to KCM. Anyway he will be made to understand that parts of the mine are no longer viable for mining……….cost of production vs profit does not make any business sense.
I regret the loss of jobs. The fact remains that KCM is in mining because it wants to make profits. That is the objective of business. If govt wants to maintain workers, then govt should subsidies the workers’ salaries. Govt can do this by sacrificing or reducing its percentage share of the profits in KCM or offer a special secret reduction in corporate tax. That is why it is the govt to negotiate with KCM and not the union. Unions have no place in this matter.
The best thing in business like minning is that if you think it is not making any profit, it is better to hand it back to the owner or to find other partners who are interested like chinese. What equipments did you use to determine that there is no copper at Nchanga open pit, you have failing to buy vehicles and other spares and you expect to make profit without spending. Tafibomba, even in Luanshya it was the same your friends (chinese) are managing. Kabiyeni bakolwe.
Hon. Minister, talk is cheap. Please explain how you intend to force Company to comply with your wish? Nationalization? Tax credits? Harassment by the State organs? Through Legal process?
Wat is taking place is the unstoppable TECHNOLOGY growing faster than pf thinks. The KCM has to choose the mechanical labour and not labour intensive way of employing 1500 producing less copper. While few machines produce more tons of copper than 1500 labourers.
But when we say we want a better package they answer us that it is the union who should negotiate with your companies, but on this one they are like they own the company.
WHY NOT? FIRING OF 1500 WORKERS IS A BUSINESS DECISION BASED ON THE OPERATIONAL, SUSTAINABILITY AND PROFITABILITY OF THE COMPANY. LEAVE POLITICS OUT OR ZAMBIA IS DOOMED.
Can we have ba Mwe nye out of that mine be fore water is above our knees.These people are like that where ever they are.Bebold pls.
Clueless minister! !
I smell a rat. A few days ago, it was reported that KCM had defaulted on PAYE remittances. It wanted it recovered from the employees. The govt objected to this. Then it comes that workers should be laid off! I don’t know really and I stand to be corrected. It appears they are testing the govt. It is a game of blackmail. Let the govt make their own assessment of the situation. These investors may have made their money and do not care what happens next. With all the exemptions they were given, they can do anything. Zambia should be for Zambians, but here we are, even a folk lift operator is from India after 49 years. Shame on us. I rest my case.
Already fired what are you saying. Give the mine to people who know how to run mines. Mwalilya kale imwe mwalikuta!
as much we have the capacity to run the mines, we are very indisciplined in managing state affairs. zccm had the best guys , but management indiscipline; no new investment, less developmental projects, more expenditure on recreation, i mean more than necessary, a lot of politics , and over employment even in the midst of low productivity. this, and others, led to zccm failure
BUT ZOONA SOME ZAMBIANS ARE FOOLISH MWAPATUKA KWISA?THE GOVERNMENT IS TRYING SO HARD TO FIGHT FOR OUR PEOPLE BUT YOU JUST PASSING SILY COMENTS,THOSE PEOPLE HAVE FAMILIES AND THESE DAYS BA GUY BALE FYALA MAY BE SIX CHILDREN UMUNTU UMO HOW DO YOU EXPECT THIS FAMILY TO SURVIVE WITHOUT THE HUSBAND WORKING.WHY DO WE ALWAYS SOUND DESPERATE CAN WE PLEASE LEARN TO THINK POSITIVELY.MOST OF YOU GUYS WHO ARE BEEN NEGATIVE YOU DONT EVEN WORK JUST SMORKING DAGGER YOU DRINK BEER FROM 6 TO 6 SHAME.TETI MULANDE IFYAMANO;;;
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