Maravi

Sino-Metals fires employee after losing sight on duty

Sino-Metals fires employee after losing sight on duty
By Darious Kapembwa in Kitwe
Sun 10 Oct. 2010, 03:58 CAT

A WORKER at Chinese owned Sino-Metals Leach Zambia Limited in Chambishi has had his contract terminated without compensation after suffering impairment in his eyes due to welding without protective clothing at the company.

Peter Mpundu who stormed The Post newspapers offices in Kitwe in the company of his wife complained that most of his colleagues that had developed various ailments due to work-related activities had been dismissed without compensation. He said whenever they complained, one of the managers told them that they (Sino-Metals) only knew Republican President Rupiah Banda and no one else.

“You know me I live in Mufulira and I am a bonafide member of the ruling MMD in Kankoyo Constituency but the way my government has given away the country to Chinese, you cannot believe it, because whenever you try to complain they will openly tell you that they only know President Rupiah Banda in Zambia and no one else,” complained Mpundu whilst displaying his MMD membership card.

According to a letter from SINOZAM Friendship Hospital signed by Chief Medical Officer Dr Qin Xin Sheng addressed to Sino-Metals Leach Zambia Limited manager - human resources, Mpundu had suffered impairment in both eyes.

“Ref: Peter Mpundu – Company no: SM0188, the above named patient first presented to the eye clinic on 8th December 2009. He had complaints of painful eyes in bright lights and foreign body sensation for a period of one year,” the letter read in part.

The letter further read that the symptoms that the victim complained about were preceded by welding severally without protective shield.

“Examination revealed visual impairment in both eyes visual acuity 6/18 and 6/12, which does not improve significantly with refraction. He has cornealopacities macular, which can occasionally give glare in bright light but not significant pain. If, however, there is severe pain in bright lights, in this case during night shifts, I’d recommend he be exempted from working under such conditions,” the letter further read.

Mpundu said instead of management responding to concerns raised in the doctor’s examination report, they chose to terminate his contract without compensation.

According to the termination letter dated September 21, 2010 signed by the company’s assistant manager for administration and human resources, Mpundu was given one month’s notice of non-renewal of his contract which expires on October 28, 2010.

“Therefore, your terminal benefits will be calculated as follows: Gratuity for the current one year contract, current monthly earnings and allowances, value of accrued leave days, repatriation – transport money to and from place of engagement,” the letter read.

Mpundu whose net pay is K758,000 complained that he was afraid of complaining about his situation because his colleagues stigmatized him for belonging to the MMD which had brought in the Chinese.

He said he decided to break the silence because most of his colleagues at the leach pad had been maimed by accidents and negligence without being compensated and ended up with their meager monthly salary.

He feared that his party would have very little to talk about during campaigns because he had come to believe what people had been complaining about.

“I can’t campaign like this, when I know that my party which is the ruling party has allowed Chinese to treat Zambians as second class citizens, that is why… we will see, they will meet me in Mufulira,” warned Mpundu.

Labels: LABOUR, PETER MPUNDU, SINO METALS LEACH ZAMBIA LTD

posted by MrK @ 6:15 PM