Message Ven 1 Avr 2011 07:28

Chambishi Copper employees demands are unjustified

Friday, 01 Apr 2011


Mr Maxwell Mwale mines minister of Zambia said that demands by employees of Chambishi Copper Smelter on the Copper rich region of the country are unjustified because the company was still a growing concern.

In reaction to the recent demands by more than 500 workers that downed tools at Chmabishi copper smelter in Zambia over low wages, Mr Mwale said that it was unfair for the miners to demand more than what they barganined for because the mine a unit of China Non Ferrous Metals Africa Corporation was still in its infant stage and not compatible to other established mining companies that include Konkola Copper Mines.

While sympathizing with the plight of the miners, many getting as low as ZMK 420,000 with the highest paid miners getting about ZMK 720,000 per month, Mr Mwale argued that the miners needed to be realistic when asking for increased wages because most of the mining companies were still recovering from the global recession that hit the mining industry around the world, Zambia inclusive.

Recently, more than 500 workers at Chambishi Copper Smelter paralyzed operations at the mine a unit of China Non Ferrous Metals Africa Corporation over poor wages and conditions of service despite the copper prices on the international metal market rallying.

The workers that started their work stoppage on March 24 argued that the 12% salary increase awarded to them by management was not enough considering that the miner was making profits from exports of copper to the international metal market.

The irate workers contended that it was a mockery to be awarded 12% increase when inflation had eroded their wages and other conditions of service arguing that many of the affected workers were getting as low as ZMK 350,000 per month which was not enough to sustain their families.

Goodwell Kaluba general secretary of National Union of Miners and Allied Workers when contacted by phone on March 25 initially declined to discuss the matter. He however later stated that the workers had resumed work on understanding that their demands would be met to review their wages.

However, Mr Reuben Kalale chairperson of Chambishi NUMAW branch confirmed that the strike action but urged the workers to be patient to allow management and the union to discuss the matter and find a lasting solution to the problem. Recently, he stated that despite mining companies in Zambia making roaring profits from the sale of copper and other base metals on the international market, miners feel left out from the real returns of their mineral wealth.

The union contended that despite efforts to convince mining companies to pay workers what is commensurate with the production of various base metals, chiefly copper, owners of the various units are willing to part away with less that 13% in salary adjustments. Efforts to secure more than 15% in wage increase and other conditions of service from various mining companies has yielded less than what was being gambled for.

According to Kaluba, most of the mining companies, despite making huge profits from the sale of copper and other minerals on the international metal market have only given out a maximum of 12% to 13% in salary increment in addition to other conditions of service.