Maravi

Mines’ flouting of laws worries labour leader

Mines’ flouting of laws worries labour leader
By Edwin Mbulo
Mon 11 Apr. 2011, 04:00 CAT

THERE is gross non-compliance to labour laws by the mine owners, says a labour leader.

In an interview Sifuniso Nyumbu, who is Gemstone and Allied Workers Union president said the union had tried in vain to get the 13 miners shot by the Chinese Collum Coal Mine (CCM) managers in Sinazeze not to receive compensation but let the law take its course.

Nyumbu cited the increased incidence of assault and violence cases involving employers on employees which were still not being fairly handled by the police.

“We have tried as a union to make a lot of follow-ups but a lot workers do not seem keen to let the law take its course after being compensated. The best case is the Maamba Chinese Collum Coal Mine managers who were released on a nolle prosequi after they were compensated,” he said.

Nyumbu has appealed to all workers who fell victim to abuse not to withdraw their cases.

He also complained about anomalies regarding NAPSA deductions being experienced by his members.

“We face a lot of problems when it comes to NAPSA deductions especially with the Siavonga mine, where you find that even contractual workers from Kaoma get to have NAPSA contributions deducted from their salaries,” Nyumbu said.

He said a lot of employers did not differentiate between contractual and permanent services when deducting pension funds.

Nyumbu appealed to the government to ensure that mine owners complied with the country’s labour laws.

Labels: LABOUR, MINING

posted by MrK @ 6:13 PM