KCM dismisses 11 workers

KCM dismisses 11 workers
By Abigail Chaponda in Ndola
Sun 06 Dec. 2009, 04:00 CAT

ELEVEN miners at Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) have allegedly been dismissed after seeking medical treatment during working hours. The miners who did not want to be named said management had violated their rights and demanded to be reinstated.

"It was on 7th November 2009 at Konkola number four shaft. The shaft had a blast at the shaft bottom due to poor ventilation. After that had happened, the employees went out through the blasted fumes and 11 of us went to Konkola Mine Hospital where we underwent a 24-hour treatment,” said one of the affected miners.

“However, management was not happy with us and we were dismissed from work after being charged with deliberately supplying of false information that there was a blast underground."

The miners complained that it was their right to seek medical attention when they felt unwell especially in mining areas.

They said KCM management had no right to take severe action against them adding that this had been the third time of gassing at the same shaft.
"So far the Mine workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) as well as the government know about this case and they do not want to do anything about,” they said.
When contacted for comment, KCM spokesperson Rahul Kharkar said he did not have any information regarding the blast and the 11 miners that were consequently dismissed.

When told that it happened on November 7, Kharkar asked the reporter why she had not contacted him and waited until now to get a reaction.
"Why did you not tell me when it happened? I have not heard anything like this. Let me have your number and I will call you," said Kharkar.

Meanwhile, MUZ general secretary Oswell Munyenyembe confirmed that 11 workers were gassed and management charged them with supplying of false information.
"I can confirm that 11 of our members at Konkola Copper Mine were gassed and at their first hearing management charged them with supplying of false information and dismissed them," said Munyenyembe. "This information is coming from the branch and we have advised the miners to appeal and we are going to be there at the meeting."