Chinese-owned Chambishi Copper Smelter (CCS) on Monday fired 89 workers and rehired 347 others after a strike and riots last week, industry officials said on Monday.

The company originally fired all 500 workers but agreed to rehire staff after a screening process to identify the leaders of riots over pay and service conditions that left property damaged and a Chinese manager injured.

CCS company secretary Sun Chuanqi and National Union of Mining and Allied Workers (Numaw) General Secretary Albert Mando separately confirmed that 89 workers were sacked.

“They (CCS management) have fired 89 workers and reprieved 347 others who have since reported back for work,” Mando told Reuters by telephone from Chambishi.
The union would contest the firing of the 89 workers.

“The workers will appeal against the dismissals. We regret the workers took that kind of action, but we are aware they acted (emotionally),” he said.

Mando said salary negotiations, which broke down prior to the strike and rioting, would only restart after the issue of the sacked workers was resolved.

Sun said the construction of one of Zambia’s largest copper smelters has restarted.

“Operations are back to normal and we hope to complete constructing the smelter in December and start to produce 150,000 tonnes of copper per year from 2009,” he said.

He however said internal disciplinary procedures at the company are continuing while workers still interested in their jobs are being scrutinised.

Mr. Chuanqi said that disciplinary action will be taken against any employee who will be found to have participated in the damage of company property.

The strike highlighted tensions between Zambian workers and Chinese managers in the mining industry.

Chambishi Copper Smelter is the first of 50 Chinese companies that plan to invest over $800 million in a tax-free zone in Zambia within the next five years, Zambian officials say.

President Levy Mwanawasa says government is alive of the adverse impact of climate change and has hence developed strategies that will ensure that the country overcomes its vulnerability to environmental changes are put in place.

President Mwanawasa said government would not spare any effort aimed at ensuring that issues climate change are effectively addressed for the benefit of the country.

Dr. Mwanawasa disclosed government has already developed a National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) that needs to be implemented without delay.

He said Zambia would build on the initiatives of the commonwealth and other international organizations such as United Nations, to ensure that the country responds to the challenges of climate change in an effective manner.

The president was speaking during his national address on the commemoration of the Commonwealth Day which falls today, being cerebrated under the theme ‘Environment our Future’.

He said the commonwealth in choosing this day has recognized that environmental problems in particular climate change is one of the most important global challenges facing the world.

Dr. Mwanawasa said climate change would have catastrophic consequences on not only the future generation but also the present.

“ These negative impacts entail the increase in frequency and intensity pf extreme weather events such as droughts and floods , which inevitably has a negative effect on the well being of the commonwealth peoples and their prospects for development and attainment of the MDGs,” he added.

Dr. Mwanawasa pointed out that this year, many countries in Southern Africa including Zambia have been devastated by floods and droughts respectively.

Zambia he said has suffered the consequences of the floods which include destruction of crops and infrastructure such as roads, bridges and buildings.

He has since commended the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) for the work it was doing in respond to the effects on floods on humanity.

“ I wish to acknowledge the tremendous support that this unit had received from all well wishers , especially the private sector and international community,’ he added.

The Forum for Leadership Search Zambia has urged youths in the country to be instrumental and remain proactive in the National Constitution Reforms as they celebrate youth day this week.

Forum Executive Director, Edwin Lifwekelo , in a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today, said youths must reflect on their role in the Constitutional Reforms and the country’s political and economic affairs.

He said their participation in the constitution making is vital and must therefore ensure that the country has a Constitution that will meet their aspiration as they are a link between the past, present and the future.

“We must engage each other with a great sense of objectivity. Youths must assume leadership of this great process of giving into ourselves a good constitution that can stand a test of time,” Mr. Lifwekelo said.

Mr. Lifwekelo has since urged youth groups in the country who are not in the National Constitution Conference (NCC) to make their submissions on matters affecting them through youths organization that are participating in the NCC.

He said the country is calling on the youths to take up their responsibility on the NCC as the NCC is the logistical step taken to stop the endless constitutional road map.

Mr. Lifwekelo said the youths are in a mess of poverty and unemployment because they have allowed past governments to override their wishes and impose illegitimate and defective constitutions.

Government has warned unscrupulous tour operators who are allegedly misleading tourists and the general public that government has exorbitantly hiked visa fees.

Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Michael Kaingu says it is unfortunate that the recent adjustment of visa fees has been deliberately misconstrued to frustrate tourism promotion.

Mr. Kaingu has clarified that visa fees for single entry have been adjusted from US$25 to US$50, while multi-entry visa fees have been hiked from US$40 to US$80.

He said any other figures are incorrect and a misrepresentation of the adjustment announced by government.

Mr Kaingu parried off fears that the upward adjust of visa fees would adversely affect the inflow of tourists into the country.

He said his office has so far not received evidence indicating that the flow of tourists has reduced because of the adjustment in visa fees.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kaingu says the post election violence in Kenya could have impacted negatively on Kenya’s tourism industry and that of neighboring countries.

Mr. Kaingu explained that war and conflicts have a bearing on tourism as tourists are scared to visit countries where they are likely to be caught up in conflicts.

He noted that conflicts should not be encouraged in any country as its consequences on the economy are disastrous.

Mr. Kaingu however said that Zambia’s tourism sector was not affected with the violence in Kenya adding that its likely that some tourists from Kenya may have come to Zambia because of the conflicts in Kenya.

And Government has warned that it will would impound trucks found loaded with charcoal which have not been issued with licenses.

Mr. Kaingu noted that charcoal trading has increased by more than 70 percent due to the power outages which the country has been faced with forcing people to use charcoal adding that this has led to some traders to engage in illegal tree cutting.

He added that the increase in exports of charcoal has also contributed to the vice as people are forced to cut down tree illegally to produce more for exporting.

Mr. Kaingu noted that the vice has caused deforestation in the country as trees are cut down almost on a daily basis.
He explained that people wanting to engage in cutting down tree for domestic use should acquire licenses from the forestry department.

Commotion today reigned at Chipata Main Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) when some members were physically thrown out of the church by some self proclaimed church leadership.

The two opposing sides were accusing each other of not operating in line with the doctrines of the church.

Confusion started when one group which was allegedly recently elected into the leadership of the church accused the out-going office bearers of refusing to step down following the elections.

The faction which claims to have been legally elected by the church threw out some of the out-going office bearers whom they accused of opposing the newly elected office bearers.

Speaking to Zambia News and Information Services crew that rushed to the scene, Communications Secretary Asafu Lungu said some members were thrown out of the church because of being arrogant in following the church constitution.

Mr. Lungu said problems started last year when an opposing faction was formed which conducted church services contrary to the churches doctrine.

He said problems arose because the opposing faction did not recognize the current leadership which was duly elected by the church members.

Mr. Lungu said elected faction manhandled the other group for their arrogance and lack of recognition of dully elected leadership.

He charged that the move was intended to bring sanity to the congregation.

But Stewardship Leader Jim Phiri expressed sadness at what happenings at the church.