Maravi

(DAILY MAIL) Chambishi workers riot

Chambishi workers riot
By ALEX NJOVU

THREE workers, two Zambian and one Chinese, sustained severe injuries in a riot that erupted following a protracted labour dispute at Chambishi Copper Smelter (CCS) in Kitwe yesterday. The fracas between unionised workers and senior management staff at the Chinese-owned copper smelter under construction lasted several hours and left one Chinese worker without teeth after he was stoned on the mouth. CCS company secretary, Sun Chuanqi, said the company had not refused to address the workers’ demands and was therefore disappointed by the unrest that turned violent.

“The process of negotiation is still going on. We have not refused to meet their demands in any way. We are still negotiating, but I must state that we are disappointed that the workers damaged company property,” Mr Chuanqi said.

Workers rioted and damaged infrastructure worth millions of Kwacha. They set ablaze infrastructure and fought with police for several hours. The damaged property included a tractor, a security checkpoint, a crane, rear gate, Chinese workers’ hostels and a water tanker. The protesting workers attempted to set ablaze a company bus before police contained the situation.

The workers blocked all the roads leading into the company premises and demanded that their pay be increased by over K800,000. Workers’ representatives said the K291,000 workers were paid per month was not enough to sustain them and demanded a minimum of K1.2 million for the lowest paid.

Chief Government spokesperson Mike Mulongoti condemned the striking CCS workers who rioted and damaged company property on the second day of the labour protest. Mr Mulongoti who is Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services said in an interview that it was unfortunate that the workers damaged property instead of negotiating with management over their grievances. The minister said it was regrettable that the workers vented their anger on company property.

“They have now destroyed their own pot where they were feeding from. They could have found a better way of presenting their grievances rather than damaging company property,” Mr Mulongoti said.

He said it would now be difficult for anyone to sympathise with the workers because they had resorted to destroying property.

“They may have genuine reasons, but then it might be difficult to sympathise with them because they have damaged company property.

The owners of the company may one day decide to relocate somewhere else and that property will belong to them, the Zambian people,” he said.

“As Government, we don’t condone such destructive behaviour.”

Several police officers from Kitwe, Chambishi and Kalulushi were called in to control the situation.

And Copperbelt permanent secretary Jennifer Musonda who rushed to the scene condemned the workers for damaging company property.

Mrs Musonda said management had since asked all the Zambian workers at CCS to stay away from work until investigations to establish what caused the confusion were concluded.

She said management would take action against the ringleaders once they were identified as the ones who led the violence.

She said two Zambian workers and one Chinese national were injured during the confusion. The Chinese worker is admitted to Sinozam Friendship Hospital in Kitwe.

“A Chinese national was stoned on the mouth and lost some of his teeth. He was bleeding a lot and was rushed to the hospital. What happened is embarrassing,” she said.

“They attempted to burn the filling station, one of the company big buses, the kitchen…they burnt the guardroom, they burnt the tractor, and they smashed all the windows of the Chinese hostels,” she said.

“What has happened is shameful, but as Government, we would like to assure the Chinese people and Government of our continued support and that their investment is protected.”

Mrs Musonda said the workers started rioting between 07:30 hours and 08:00 and wondered why the workers decided to damage and burn company property when they could have used other channels to present their grievances.

“This infrastructure which is here belongs to us the Zambians; why then are we damaging our own property? The operations at the company have not been suspended but management have asked all Zambian workers to stay home until further notice,” she said.

Copperbelt police commanding officer Antoneill Mutentwa and Kalulushi District Commissioner Joshua Mutisa accompanied Mrs Musonda.

Labels: CHAMBISHI MINE, CHINESE

posted by MrK @ 10:36 PM