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(LUSAKATIMES) Kansanshi mine demands for $20million from 2 Solwezi residents

Kansanshi mine demands for $20million from 2 Solwezi residents
TIME PUBLISHED - Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 2:24 pm

KANSANSHI Mining PLC is demanding for US$20 million from two Solwezi residents and others who allegedly incited mine employees to go on an illegal strike which resulted in loss of business.

The $20 million was for damages and loss of business resulting from the four-day alleged premature and illegal strike action early this year.
The mining company has dragged Benson Ngambo, Yobe Banda and others to court demanding for compensation for loss of business which the company endured when the duo allegedly induced and influenced employees to undertake an illegal strike action.

According to a statement of claim filed before the Lusaka High Court, Kansanshi Mining stated that Ngambo, Banda and others allegedly induced, persuaded and procured its employees to breach the contracts of employment by influencing a strike action which resulted in the loss of business.

The company stated that Ngambo, who claimed to have been a representative of Government and Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), together with Banda and others on March 1, 2012 induced Kansanshi mining employees to go on a strike action contrary to the provisions of the Industrial and Labour Relations Act chapter 269 of the Laws of Zambia.

It stated that on the material day, Ngambo addressed the employees and made a call for them to participate in a strike action and picketing around the company premises.

The company said the move taken by Ngambo, Banda and others was a breach of its employees’ employment contracts as the strike was unlawful and illegal.It said the duo and others influenced the employees to physically ban the way of persons and motor vehicles trying to enter and leave the mining area while they intimidated and harassed drivers.

Kansanshi Mining claimed that the striking employees barred heavy duty vehicles loaded with various merchandise from delivering in and out of the mining area, a move that caused lossof business not only to it but third parties as well.

It stated that because of the same, Kansanshi Mining lost approximately $5 million per day in revenue.

The company, which had initially jointly sued 14 of its former employees and later filed a notice of discontinuation against them, had also sought an injunction restraining further striking, which was granted.

The matter is being handled by High Court Judge Dominic Sichinga who has set September 20, 2012 as the date for commencement of trial.

[Times of Zambia]

Labels: KANSANSHI MINING PLC, STRIKE, ZCTU

posted by MrK @ 11:44 PM