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(LUSAKATIMES) Govt to address Collum Coal mine woes

Govt to address Collum Coal mine woes
Friday, October 22, 2010, 16:34

Government has constituted a committee to look into the plight of miners at the Chinese Collum Coal Mine in Sinazongwe district. Home Affairs Minister Mukondo Lungu announced the formation of the committee at a meeting held at Collum Coal Mine. This was after Mr. Lungu and his labour and Mines counterparts visited the mine Thursday.

He disclosed that the committee which would comprise Labour officers, the Ministry of Mines, the Chinese management,the Gemstone Allied Workers Union,and the workers’ representative will address the problems on 27 October at the Ministry of Labour and Social services in Lusaka.

Mr Lungu appealed to both the management and employees to work in harmony as the discussions are going on and urged the Chinese investors not to use firearms on innocent people.

He said government was alarmed over the shooting of 12 miners at the Chinese Collum Coal Mine and President Rupiah Banda has conveyed his sympathy to all the affected employees.

Mr Lungu who was sent by President Banda to find out the root cause of the shooting incident at Collum Coal mine was also accompanied by Labour Minister Austin Liato, Mines and Minerals Development Minister Maxwell Mwale.

He said government would engage the Chinese investors to abide by the Zambian laws than resorting to the use of a gun.

“ We are interested in the investors and employees so that they live in harmony, President Banda is also interested in the welfare of employees at place work that is why he sent us here to find the root cause of the shooting incident,” Mr Liato said.

Mr. Liato said that government is interested in the mutual relationship between employees and the employers for social dialogue to be achieved all the times.

“ We are interested in the investors and employees so that they live in harmony, President Banda is also interested in the welfare of employees at place work that is why he sent us here to find the root cause of the shooting incident,” Mr Liato said.

Mines and Minerals Development Minister Mr. Mwale also said government want to encourage investment though the investors should respect the employees and follow the country’s laws.

He said there should be a fresh start to address the problems at the mine because in the past his Ministry had failed to address them.

The Chinese Collum Coal Mine employees’ representative Ebby Siamuvwele told the ministers that they operate without having leave days, sick leave, and there were no written condition of service.

Mr Siamuvwele said they get their money through a window rather than from a bank and the Chinese manager beat them while they were on duty with impunity.

Labels: AUSTIN LIATO, CHINESE COLLUM COAL MINE, LABOUR, MUKONDO LUNGU, MURDER

posted by MrK @ 2:45 AM