COMMENT - Why can't the workers and managers get together, create a profitable business model for NCZ, and get funding on the basis of that model? NCZ could be worker owned. They should be manufacturing the nation's fertilizer, whose prices are at an all time high.
NCZ workers bemoan govt’s failure to keep plant running
Written by Florence Bupe
Saturday, March 07, 2009 10:17:34 AM
NITROGEN Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) workers have criticised government’s failure to keep the manufacturing plant running while an equity partner is being sought.
In an interview, National Union of Commercial and Industrial Workers (NUCIW) branch president Seth Paradza said it was irresponsible for the government to stall operations at the plant through failure to release the required funds.
“Government should have let the company continue to run as they look for an equity partner. We needed only K5 billion to purchase additional raw materials to resume production, yet government has failed to avail these funds. Instead, they are talking of close to K40 billion to settle retirees’ and workers’ dues, which at the end of the day is very uneconomical.”
NCZ was shut down in November, 2007 due to lack of funds needed for recapitalisation and procurement of raw materials.
Paradza expressed disappointment over the government’s stance on the recapitalisation of the fertiliser manufacturing company.
He said the government was not committed to the revival of the company, adding that the country would continue to spend unnecessarily huge amounts of money on fertiliser imports for as long as the local plant was not revamped.
“Government’s pronouncements that NCZ is a strategic company will remain empty for as long as they are not accompanied by action,” he said.
Paradza disclosed that workers were owed two months’ salary arrears, and explained that the K8.5 billion that had been released would be channeled towards the payment of salaries for one month, as well as part payment of terminal benefits.
No comments:
Post a Comment