Maravi

Ross Demolition casual workers protest over salary arrears

Ross Demolition casual workers protest over salary arrears
By Mwila Chansa in Kitwe
Wednesday September 17, 2008 [04:00]

ABOUT 37 casual workers engaged by Ross Demolition have accused the firm's executive director David Jordan of conniving with labour officers in Kitwe to frustrate payment of their salary arrears. But Jordan described the workers' accusations as malicious and unfounded. The workers, who stormed The Post Newspapers offices in Kitwe said they had been working for Ross Demolition, a firm that was contracted to demolish the acid plant number 4 and the old cobalt plant at Konkola and Mopani Copper Mines respectively.

Speaking through their spokespersons, Bruce Mulenga and Gabriel Chitundu, the workers complained that they had not been paid dues since March this year.

Mulenga explained that that their contracts, which were supposed to run for a year and six months, were supposed to expire last June but were 'consequently extended' after the mining companies gave Ross Demolition extra time to finish some uncompleted works.
He said Jordan laid off some of their colleagues in order to have enough money to pay the retained workers.

Mulenga explained that when they took the matter to the labour office, Jordan was advised to pay them for the months that they were not working as per requirements of the contract.

He claimed that when they approached Jordan, he dared them to report him anywhere they wanted, saying nothing would be done to him.
Mulenga further claimed that KCM and Mopani Copper Mine partially paid Ross Demolition.

And Chitundu complained that when Jordan was approached again, he told them to go to the labour office for the way forward.

He wondered why the Labour Office could be having discussions with Jordan without them knowing what was being discussed.

But when contacted, Jordan, who did not deny that the workers were owed money said some of the workers did not want to understand that the firm was following the correct legal course in addressing their issues.

"We are working closely with the labour office. I am not denying that we owe the people money. What happened is that we sold an excavator on auction and we are waiting for that payment," he said.

Jordan said whatever discussions he had with the workers were in consultation with the labour office in the presence of the workers' representatives.

Labels: CASUALISATION, ROSS DEMOLITION, STRIKE, THE POST

posted by MrK @ 3:16 AM