Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) Miners warn of resistance to close LCM

Miners warn of resistance to close LCM
December 23, 2008

The Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MWUZ)and National Union of Miners and Allied Workers Union (NUMIAWU) have warned that any attempts to switch off equipment or attempts to close Luanshya Copper Mines operations would be met with maximum resistance.

The two unions have also urged its members to closely monitor operations and ensure that no materials or scrap metal leaves the premises of the company.

Addressing a joint press conference at Katilungu house today, MUZ President, Rayford Mbulu, appealed to government and the technical committee to ensure and guarantee continued Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) operations, employment and incomes, as this would lessen anxiety and fears by members so that peace prevailed in Luanshya.

Mr Mbulu also said the two unions have rejected the putting mine assets on ”care and maintenance”.

He suggested that the shutdown schedule as outlined on 19th December be revisited and advised that no letters should be issued to employees by LCM management util things are straight.

Mr Mbulu, who was flanked by NUMAWU president, Mundia Sikufele, appealed to all stakeholders to engage in a fast tracked process to create a vehicle for continued LCM operations.

He also reminded LCM management to honour in full their obligations to employees for rendered services by ensuring that the terminations were accompanied by terminal benefits as outlined in the collective agreement.

The MUZ president requested mine owners and shareholders, whose corporate and global interests outweigh the interests of the country, to offload their shares to government and hand back the mine assets to ZCCM-IH to protect domestic economy through continued operations to safeguard mine assets, job losses and asset stripping.

Labels: DEMONSTRATION, LCM, MINERS, MUZ, NUMAW, RAYFORD MBULU, RIOTS

posted by MrK @ 1:10 PM