Maravi

LCM recess heightens workers fears over jobs

LCM recess heightens workers fears over jobs
By Mwila Chansa in Kitwe
Sun 14 Nov. 2010, 04:00 CAT

CHISHIMBA Kambwili has said the government and management at Chinese-run Luanshya Copper Mine (LCM) will have to kill him first before they can bring in any expatriate to replace a Zambian.

Commenting on fears by LCM workers that Zambians that operate the hoisting system would be laid off and replaced by expatriates from China once the new system is installed, Kambwili, who is opposition Roan PF member of parliament, urged the workers not to be anxious because they had him.

Over 800 workers at LCM will go on recess following management’s decision to temporarily close the mine to facilitate the rehabilitation of the hoisting system.

But sources at LCM feared that Zambians that used to operate the hoisting system would be laid off and replaced by expatriates from China once the new system is installed.

The source also said there was panic among workers because rumours of workers going on recess were heightening fears of permanent job losses.

However, LCM public relations manager Sydney Chileya allayed fears of job losses saying all the 807 employees proceeding on recess were still LCM employees.

He said all the employees would continue getting their basic salaries and housing allowances, except overtime and other allowances.

Chileya also said the employees were not being allowed to travel out of town without permission because they might be recalled anytime.

But Kambwili said the situation would not permit any Chinese national to replace a Zambian operating the hoisting system.

“If the government and the Chinese management at LCM want to bring in Chinese to operate the hoisting system, they will have to kill me first,” Kambwili vowed. “No Chinese national will be allowed to operate the hoisting system…if they allow that, it will mean that we have no government and if we have it, then it doesn’t care for the people.”

Kambwili said Zambians had been running mines as early as the 1920s and the job of winding, engine drivers had always been for Zambians.

However, Kambwili said he had no problem with the mine going on recess as long as the miners would be getting their salaries.

LCM will be on recess starting tomorrow till December 31.

Labels: JOBLOSSES, LCM

posted by MrK @ 3:50 AM