Maravi

Letters - Expatriates’ conditions

Expatriates’ conditions
By John Kane
Mon 16 Nov. 2009, 04:00 CAT

I don’t support people who resort to riots. However, what transpired in Chingola where KCM employees rioted and destroyed machinery worth millions of kwacha should be a wake-up call to the legislators of this country.

I say this because if we had a law governing the way expatriates are paid compared to Zambian employees, particularly in the mines, it would help to minimise similar conflicts happening in the near future.

KCM employees complained that some Indian employees are paid $6000 while a Zambian is paid $500 for the same job done. In addition, these Indians have free accommodation while a Zambian miner has to pay rentals through the nose! What criteria are used to arrive at such figures? I don’t have any grudge against Indian community, but I will blame our own people, Zambians who are aware about such disparities and have chosen to be quiet. Such a disparity is not only seen in KCM but in all the mines.

It will therefore be imperative for the government, particularly the President, to take interest in this matter. The late president Mwanawasa stopped Mopani Copper Mines from implementing a buying system which was going to hinder most Zambians from doing business with the mine. I therefore strongly feel that if the President can speak on our behalf to the mine owners to raise our salaries to match those of foreign employees, miners shall live happily ever after.

Labels: KCM, LABOUR, RIOTS, SALARIES

posted by MrK @ 5:42 PM