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Govt give KCM a road block

MessagePosté: Dim 3 Nov 2013 09:55
de bingogo
http://www.tiozambia.com/1/post/2013/11 ... block.html

11/03/2013

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MINES Minister Christopher Yaluma has told Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) not to go ahead with the retrenchment exercise of 1, 529 employees.

Yet the people of Chingola think that this is just a lip service to the people of Chingola especially after complacent Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda’s directive to KCM not to deduct backdated Pay As You Earn (PAYE) from the employees was ignored.
Mr Yaluma told ZNBC news that Government won’t allow KCM to reduce labour not until it has fully engaged Government which is an interested party via ZCCM-IH.

KCM has announced that it will reduce labour in an effort to go automated and mechanized.

But MMD Copperbelt Youth Secretary Derricky Chilundika feel Government is simply offering a lip service to the people of Chingola without any merited action against KCM.

Mr Chilundika said KCM defied Government order not to deduct backdated PAYE from the workers and no punitive measures have been taken against KCM.

He said KCM went ahead and deducted and the following day the mining firm rushed back to Government to give them riot police for possible protest.

He said no Government Minister has come to Chingola since KCM started making souring headlines about downsizing of its workforce.

Mr Chilundika said all of them were issuing statement from Lusaka at their comfort zone rather than knowing the situation obtaining on the ground.

Re: Govt give KCM a road block

MessagePosté: Lun 4 Nov 2013 14:56
de phili675
President Sata threatens to revoke KCM’s licence

Time Posted: November 4, 2013 1:56 pm
2,175 views | 42 Comments | Email This Post | Print This Post |

President Sata addresses a Cabinet meeting on the issue of KCM laying off 1500 workers
President Michael Sata has threatened to revoke Konkola Copper Mines mining licence if the mining giant proceeds with its plans to lay off 1,500 workers.

President Sata said his government will not allow KCM to fire even one miner.He said he will revoke the licence for KCM if the mining firm dares government with its plans.

President Sata was speaking at State House Monday morning when he opened a cabinet meeting.

President Sata has since warned KCM Chief Executive Officer Kishore Kumar against exploiting Zambians.He said the PF government is aware that KCM wants to use blackmail following the revocation of SI 89.

“These mining companies want to be exporting Copper concentrates to avoid paying taxes. Mr Shamenda, please go and tell Mr Kumar that we will take away his licence if he lays off even one worker, then we will take away his licence from him, that’s the easy way of we laying him off,” President Sata said.

President Sata also directed Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda to increase revenue collection from mining sector.

According to KCM, the move is in line with its continued restructuring of operations.

The company said it was moving towards mechanisation and automation in view of the decreased copper grades at some of its mines.

Company chief executive officer Kishore Kumar announced the development yesterday in Kitwe, adding that the process of laying off the 1, 529 employees had since commenced.

Re: Govt give KCM a road block

MessagePosté: Mar 5 Nov 2013 09:55
de phili675
Mineworkers Union of Zambia wants KCM mining license revoked

Time Posted: November 5, 2013 7:08 am
1,347 views | 28 Comments | Email This Post | Print This Post |

FILE: Vice President Guy Scot listening to KCM Chief Executive Officer Jeyakumar Janakaraj during a tour at Nchanga Smelter in Chingola
THE Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) has called on Government to find another equity partner for Konkola Copper Mines (KCM)’s mining operations in the country.

MUZ president Nkole Chishimba said Government should go ahead and revoke the mining license for KCM and with or without the laying off of workers by the mining-giant.

He said this was in view of the unclear roadmap by KCM management which had adopted tactics of blackmailing government.

Mr Chishimba who was reacting to President Michael Sata’s call on KCM not to go ahead with its intention of downsizing labour said the announcement by the Head of State to revoke the mining license should the company lay off a single employee was welcome.

“We are thankful that the president has taken that move of considering revoking KCM’s mining license should the company downsize labour.

“We welcome that move and in fact, Government must still consider our call of finding another equity partner for KCM and this is because of unclear roadmap by the company,” Mr Chishimba said.

The union leader said from the way KCM had been conducting itself in the recent past and cited earlier attempts by KCM in June this year to lay off 2000 miners, it was clear that the company’s operations in the country had ceased to be certain.

Mr Chishimba said it was MUZ’s fear that if blocked from executing its intended action of laying off workers, KCM would only end up subjecting employees to poor conditions of service.

“This is why we are saying Government must take keen interest in the operations of KCM by finding another equity partner for that mine,” Mr Chishimba said.