Majority mine workers not paying tax - MUZ
By Misheck Wangwe in Chambishi
Mon 13 Jan. 2014, 14:00 CAT
MINEWORKERS Union of Zambia (MUZ) says majority of the lowest paid miners get salaries below K3,000 making it difficult for the government to collect enough revenue through Pay As You Earn (PAYE) from them.
In an interview yesterday, MUZ general secretary, Joseph Chewe, said the union expects investors in the mining sector to seriously readjust the remuneration of miners upwards so that they could begin to look after their families well and also contribute towards the much-needed tax to the government.
Chewe said MUZ and its collaborating partners would this year work extra hard to ensure that every collective agreement signed would have a positive impact on the living standards of miners and their families.
"Our records after research show that 90 per cent of the basic salaries for the lowest bracket of the mine employees are falling below the threshold of K3,000 and as you know the government has raised the threshold of Pay As You Earn to K3,000 in this year's budget. As a union we are very worried because this means that most of our members will not be paying the tax, and government will not be benefiting as expected from unionised miners," Chewe said.
He said the revelations came as a serious matter because employees in the mining sector needed to get enough remuneration so that they could also pay tax to the government.
Chewe said MUZ was mindful that the mining sector was the driving force of the Zambian economy and the industry was also a major employer on permanent basis, hence the need for mining companies to be reminded that majority of their employees were actually not paying tax.
"We need to negotiate for salaries higher than the threshold of K3,000. This should be the guiding principle for all of us who are stakeholders in the mines, that we need to work together and ensure that in the next negotiations, we need to produce positive results," Chewe said.
Chewe said the government must also show direction and ensure that investors in the mines begin to pay considerable salaries this year, so that appropriated taxes could be remitted to the government through PAYE.
Labels: MINING, MUZ, PAYE, TAX EVASION, TAXATION
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(LUSAKATIMES) Mineworkers Union of Zambia wants KCM mining license revoked
Time Posted: November 5, 2013 7:08 am
THE Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) has called on Government to find another equity partner for Konkola Copper Mines (KCM)’s mining operations in the country.
MUZ president Nkole Chishimba said Government should go ahead and revoke the mining license for KCM and with or without the laying off of workers by the mining-giant.
He said this was in view of the unclear roadmap by KCM management which had adopted tactics of blackmailing government.
Mr Chishimba who was reacting to President Michael Sata’s call on KCM not to go ahead with its intention of downsizing labour said the announcement by the Head of State to revoke the mining license should the company lay off a single employee was welcome.
“We are thankful that the president has taken that move of considering revoking KCM’s mining license should the company downsize labour.
“We welcome that move and in fact, Government must still consider our call of finding another equity partner for KCM and this is because of unclear roadmap by the company,” Mr Chishimba said.
The union leader said from the way KCM had been conducting itself in the recent past and cited earlier attempts by KCM in June this year to lay off 2000 miners, it was clear that the company’s operations in the country had ceased to be certain.
Mr Chishimba said it was MUZ’s fear that if blocked from executing its intended action of laying off workers, KCM would only end up subjecting employees to poor conditions of service.
“This is why we are saying Government must take keen interest in the operations of KCM by finding another equity partner for that mine,” Mr Chishimba said.
Labels: KCM, MUZ, NATIONALISATION, STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 89, TAX EVASION
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MUZ accuses KCM of scheming to weaken it
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Fri 30 Aug. 2013, 14:00 CAT
A ROW has erupted between MUZ and KCM management with the former accusing the mining giant of making malicious and provocative schemes to divide and weaken the union.
KCM has however refused to comment or respond to the accusations. Briefing the media yesterday, Mineworkers Union of Zambia president Nkole Chishimba alleged that Konkola Copper Mines was making serious but deliberate anomalies to the subscriptions of over 3,000 employees who are members of MUZ, a move meant to punish, discredit and weaken the union and its strong stance on many issues that affect the operations of the mining company.
"This problem that is being sustained by KCM started in July. KCM remitted members' subscription to the MUZ head office account as usually the case. The amount of money involved was within the usual levels that the union receives each month. Little did the union head office realise that though the figures appeared to be normal and that KCM met its agreement obligation in terms of distribution, monthly subscriptions were not deducted from MUZ members' wages as there was no official communication from the union," Chishimba said.
He explained that when the problem emerged and it came to the attention of MUZ, efforts were made by the union to find out what led to such unprecedented levels of anomalies, whether they arose from a problem in the payroll system and why only MUZ members were affected when the systems of other unions remained clean.
Chishimba said at the time, there was need for urgent verification and reconciliation because the matter involved three parties, the subscriber, the remitter, which in this case was KCM management and the recipient MUZ, which procedure, in the union's view, was the way to go when faced with such challenges.
"Through a phone call to KCM, a senior management representative indicated that they were ready to meet with MUZ on Tuesday this week. On the material day, the union braced itself and gathered at the agreed venue but KCM officials did not show up and no one gave reasons. This is unacceptable…the union has the moral duty to protect its members from any inconvenience which is not their own making," he said.
Chishimba said the refusal by KCM management to meet MUZ demonstrated just how the mining company disrespected the union and how ready they were to provoke the workers and their leadership.
He said the union had cause to believe that KCM had intent to weaken MUZ and drive away membership.
"There is also cause to believe that the company intended to provoke workers unto resorting to industrial action so that they dismiss them from employment. MUZ therefore urges its membership to remain steadfast during this turbulence as it is just a passing phase," Chishimba said.
He said KCM had no regard for workers' rights and must put its house in order.
Chishimba said MUZ would not take any blame for whatever would happen as the mining company had continued to ignore its role.
But KCM public relations manager Joy Sata refused to comment on the matter when contacted.
Labels: KCM, LABOUR, MUZ, NKOLE CHISHIMBA
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MUZ calls for protection of national resources
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Mon 15 July 2013, 14:00 CAT
MINEWORKERS Union of Zambia (MUZ) says there is need to protect the country's national resources from being looted again by putting up a spirited fight against corruption.
In an interview, MUZ president Nkole Chishimba said the union's resolve was to support the government on its firm stance against corruption because it was the only way the country would see meaningful development in all sectors.
Chishimba said the fight against corruption must be encouraged by all well-meaning Zambians especially those in the mining sector which is the backbone of the country's economy.
"We should take a position as a country that never again should we ever allow national resources to be consumed by a few greedy individuals like it happened in the past regime. Corruption has taken a lot from the poor and we should seal all loopholes if this country is to move forward. Leaders at every level of governance, private sector and all institutions including the unions should never be involved in corrupt activities if this country is to make headways in terms f development," Chishimba said.
"We therefore condemn in the strongest terms whoever is obstructing and frustrating the various processes meant to bring down corruption in our great nation. MUZ has however noted with pleasure development strides being taken so far by the PF government especially in the road infrastructure like the Link Zambia 8000 and Pave Zambia 2000. We want to encourage the government to run the full course on roads development because roads are a very key strategy point towards meaningful development."
Meanwhile, Chishimba said the union was extremely disappointed that foreign investors in the mining sector always opt to lay off workers whenever they face production challenges.
He said foreign mine investors must have competent personnel in their management system that would be able to endure hard times and protect the labour force.
"Employment creation in this country should not be a hoax. We need to see sustainability but if we see people getting employed and in few months a mining company starts threatening mass lay-offs then there is poor planning and not only poor planning but questionable setting up of investments because if all the homework is done properly, following all the channels, we cannot find ourselves in a situation where other authorities are questioning the stay of companies or investment," Chishimba said.
He said the union had since engaged all transnational mining companies to find ways of cushioning production and operational challenges rather than rushing to lay off workers which had become a common trend.
Labels: MUZ, NKOLE CHISHIMBA
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Shamenda urges miners not to panic
By Misheck Wange in Kitwe and Ernest Chanda in Lusaka
Sun 26 May 2013, 14:01 CAT
LABOUR and social security minister Fackson Shamenda has appealed to miners and Zambians not to panic over reports that Konkola Copper Mines intends to lay off 2,000 miners. And the Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) says KCM's plans must be immediately halted by the government and all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) has accused the mining giant of not being insincere to the government about its operations and the plans to retrench employees. Shamenda yesterday said the law was very clear on procedures to be followed before any company could lay off workers and those procedures had not been exhausted in the case of KCM. KCM informed the government about its intentions to retrench 2,000 workers.
"It is a requirement that employers first engage the unions on their intentions and thereafter engage the government. So far, all these processes had not been exhausted by KCM," he said.
Shamenda said to this end, no miner would be retrenched at KCM.
He said the government had stepped in and was engaging KCM management and the unions to look at the reasons behind the proposal to retrench miners.
Shamenda assured the miners and the nation that it would take care of their interests and that no Zambian would unnecessarily lose employment.
He stressed that issuing statements on a matter, which had not been exhaustively concluded, would not serve anyone.
Shamenda has since banned issuance of any statements on the intention by KCM to lay off miners saying mining was a serious industry requiring only his deputy ministers and himself to be informing the nation.
Labour matters, he said, were very delicate and Zambians needed to be careful in the manner in which they issued statements hinging on people's livelihood. MUZ president Nkole Chishimba said the negotiations with KCM should not be aimed at mitigation of the idea of retrenchment but at halting the entire process of retrenchment.
Chishimba said the plans by KCM had a huge negative impact on the country as over 20,000 people would be subjected to misery if mining giant was allowed to trim its workforce.
"Remember that these people have families and one miner looks up to about 10 people plus the extended family. KCM will set a bad precedent if it will be allowed to do that. We urge our members and every employee at KCM to remain calm and work extra hard to boost production so that we leave management with no excuse. On the other hand, we have engaged the government, KCM and all stakeholders so that we resolve this issue amicably," said Chishimba.
And SARW campaign officer for Zambia, Edward Lange, said the retrenchment plans by KCM were retrogressive and contrary to the ideals of the PF government that was working hard to create jobs.
Lange said KCM must rethink its decision and sit down with the government to find a lasting solution to the problem.
He said the government must protect the people by not allowing KCM to retrench the workers.
In a letter dated May 23, 2013, addressed to MUZ, the National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) and United Mineworkers Union of Zambia (UMUZ), KCM vice-president human capital David Kaunda stated that the company would lay off 2,000 permanent jobs as it had been impacted by a number of economic and legacy issues that have made it imperative to review its operations for its continued viability.
And a member of the PF central committee in charge of labour Davies Mwila said the government would prefer that KCM leaves the mines rather than allowing them to retrench over 2,000 employees.
Mwila, who is also defence deputy minister, said the PF as a party in power had been watching closely the operations of KCM and its manoeuvres to deprive Zambians that had been working very hard over the years to stabilise the operations of the mining sector which was the backbone of the country's economy.
Mwila, who is also a former general treasurer of MUZ, said KCM had not been fair to the Zambian people in its operations despite the mining company enjoying good prices of copper and other metals at the international market.
"In fact, KCM's departure is long overdue. So, if they want to leave, let them go and God will give us other progressive investors ready to work with the government rather than allowing them to sack our people. Look, 20 years ago before KCM inherited those mines, the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) employed over 20,000 people when the price of copper was 2,000 dollars per tonne and this labour force was maintained," he said.
"When KCM took over, the number of permanent jobs drastically reduced and it's now below 10,000 despite the copper price at the London Metal Exchange being around 7,000 per tonne. Today they are telling us that they have to reduce the labour force further, no! We will not allow them to embarrass the PF government. Those reasons they have advanced to lay off are not genuine."
Mwila said that, in fact, the government was not happy with the operations of KCM looking at the dilapidated roads and public infrastructure in Chingola and Chililabombwe which are not fit for towns hosting of the world's largest mines .
Mwila said the owners of KCM had built a masterpiece university in India using the mineral resources extracted from Zambia but had failed to do the same to satisfy the custodians of the minerals who were the citizens of Zambia.
He said companies like Mopani Copper Mines, Lumwana, Kansanshi and many others were working hard to supplement government's efforts to create employment.
"Two years ago, KCM started outsourcing labour force as a way of indirectly sacking our people. They brought in U and M, they later cancelled the contract and over 700 people were left jobless. MMS is another company that was contracted to work underground, the company is no more as we speak and about 600 miners were retrenched. Another company, Black Smith, was contracted at the concentrator and over 400 people are on the streets and the list of contractors whose contracts have not been renewed at KCM is huge and these people (KCM) expect us to keep quiet? No we will not allow them," said Mwila.
On Wednesday, Germany's Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Dirk Niebiel urged Zambia to put in place measures that would enable it get better contracts to reap more benefits from the mining sector.
"… It is very important to find a way to use the mining sector for financing your own budget than you can do at the moment and we could give a helpful hand to have better contracts in the future for more income, revenues for your country to invest in your country," said Niebiel.
Labels: FACKSON SHIMENDA, JOBS, KCM, MUZ, SARW
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MUZ urges private sector to emulate govt on salary hikes
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Tue 16 Apr. 2013, 14:00 CAT
MUZ has challenged manufacturing and mining companies in the private sector to emulate the government that has adjusted upwards salaries for civil servants above the food basket value.
In an interview yesterday, Mineworkers Union of Zambia general secretary Joseph Chewe said the decision by the government to commit itself and ensure that the lowest paid worker gets at least above K2.8 million (KR2,800), which was the basic needs and food basket value of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) speaks volumes of its commitment to addressing the needs of workers in the country.
Chewe said in the next round of negotiations for collective agreements, the union would ensure that other mining companies catch up the benchmark of government as mining was a very vibrant and productive sector as compared to the government which was a service provider.
"We appeal to mining companies and industries to emulate the government that has taken a bold step to emulate a worker. The mining companies paying below KR2,900 must pull up their socks and catch up with the government," he said.
He said employees in the private sector deserved to live above a minimum food basket as guided by the JCTR, adding that some companies were paying unjustified low wages with less amount of motivation.
"If we recall, the private sector used to pay better salaries than the government but the trend is different. We congratulate the PF government for setting up this benchmark and our challenge goes to the private sector that has become dormant in terms of attending to the needs of employees through salary increments. The government is now very particular about a worker," Chewe said.
He said many employees were running away from the private sector and joining the government which was not a good sign of development in terms of labour as the country's economy was private sector driven.
Chewe said the increase in minimum wage and the improvement in salaries for the private sector was an indication of serious political will being demonstrated compared to the past.
Labels: JCTR, MUZ
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Hichilema has no integrity, maturity to lead - MUZ
By Staff Reporters
Wed 13 June 2012, 13:24 CAT
HAKAINDE Hichilema does not possess the integrity and maturity required to lead a country, says Mineworkers Union of Zambia president Charles Mukuka. And Kennedy Sakeni says Hakainde Hichilema's remarks against President Michael Sata are uncalled for and are tantamount to defamation of the President.
Commenting on Hich-ilema's likening of President Sata to a hyena without a plan (chimbwi no plan), Mukuka said the union would not tolerate disrespectful language towards the President at a time when all leaders worthy their salt needed to put their heads together to resolve problems in various sectors.
He said opposing the government out of bitterness will further hurt opposition political parties in Zambia.
"I think HH's bitterness is getting out of hands. In the first place no one told him to get into an alliance with the PF. In the same regard, no one told him to leave the pact, it's just his own selfishness. So if President Sata won elections without his support, what is his problem?" he asked.
Mukuka said President Sata, like any other person, was prone to err but he deserved to be respected.
"What makes him think that he is the most intelligent of all Zambians? And if he is as intelligent as he claims to be, where was he when the mining sector was thrown into disarray? In fact, he was part of the privatisation process of the mines (RAMCOZ) where was his intelligence? Why didn't his intelligence prevail on RAMCOZ? Why has his intelligence failed to win elections on his own? I think people of Zambia are watching these people and what they stand for and this is a warning that whoever will go into an alliance with them, will be crushed by people's choices. Because at a time when the President and his new team are trying to stabilise things, he wants to disturb him with personal insults. We won't tolerate that as mine workers because we know a lot of reforms are under way in the mining sector by the new government," he said.
Mukuka charged that if indeed Hichilema was as intelligent as he claimed, he could not have been making the political choices he had made since he assumed the presidency of UPND.
"He will not win elections by being bitter. An intelligent person reads the direction in which the wind is blowing. Right now no one is interested in his style of politics. We are interested to see how things will change in the new government, it's just nine months. We are not going to allow the UPND hooliganism to reign supreme in this nation," he said.
Mukuka said even the attacks on Lusaka Province police commissioner Charity Katanga were unwarranted and amounted to 'extreme' hooliganism.
"We urge the madam to be strong and not to be intimidated just because she's a woman by men playing politics in the name of good governance. If students who wanted to demonstrate in support of the decision to clean up the Judiciary listened to the advice not to stage that protest, who is HH and UPND? We will not allow him to hold this country at ransom because he has failed politically," said Mukuka.
He said the issue of the Post Newspaper and DBZ was not Hichilema's to handle and should be left to relevant authorities.
Mukuka said there is no way Hichilema could assume the role of defender of the wrongdoing in the Judiciary simply because the reform agenda was being carried out by a person he thought would never rule Zambia.
And PF Copperbelt Province chairperson Rebby Chanda said Hichilema was a small boy who was not well nurtured by his parents.
Chanda has since directed youths on the Copperbelt to stage a peaceful demonstration against Hichilema's statement.
And provincial youth chairman Menyani Zulu said PF youths will sort out Hichilema.
"We have tolerated HH for too long and this time, we will teach him to respect elders. We will sort him out and we will make sure he apologises to the President. We have asked people from Lusaka to get a police permit and demonstrate against HH. If they fail, PF Copperbelt youths will travel to Lusaka in numbers to deal with HH," he said Zulu said the party had organised 10 big buses to ferry youths to Lusaka.
"HH is an infant and we will deal with him because he has stepped on the tail of a tiger. He should know that we don't joke when people attack our President," said Zulu.
And PF provincial officials yesterday lodged a complaint with police about Hichilema with police.
Reacting to a statement issued by Hichilema at a briefing on Monday, in which he likened the President a hyena without a plan, Sakeni who is home affairs minister, said Hichilema had embarked on a scheme to dare the government by insulting the head of state, so that he can accuse the PF government of political harassment if found wanting.
"Whether he is using this as a gimmick, I think the guy is losing it because Zambians are reading between the lines. A leader who can use such derogatory remarks does not deserve to be called a leader. I think Zambians are not ready for leaders who are like that," Sakeni said.
"HH should not take law enforcement agency's patience for granted. He should not push his luck too far by daring the officers…to the point of bursting into offices uninvited."
Sakeni said Hichilema's decision to storm the office of Lusaka Province commanding officer Charity Katanga and the Inspector General of Police, Stella Libongani was unacceptable, saying Hichilema should have respect for government institutions and its officers.
"He should realise that the law of defamation is there. Let him test the waters if he wants to do. The police are there to analyse what we all say. There are pieces of law which deal with those matters. It's not a question of telling police officers what to do," he said.
Sakeni advised Hichilema to find other ways of getting attention from Zambians rather than through insulting the President.
And the Lusaka PF provincial executive led by Ben Nkandu, a provincial mobilisation member yesterday lodged a formal complaint with the police over the statements issued by Hichilema.
The officials who arrived at Lusaka Central police station at 15:00 hours were attended to by the 2nd district criminal investigative officer Andrew Mbewe.
Labels: HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, MUZ, UPND
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MUZ describes 17% pay rise as not impressive
By Mwila Chansa-Ntambi in Kitwe
Fri 23 Mar. 2012, 12:58 CAT
MINEWORKERS Union of Zambia national trustee Leonard Phiri says the union is not very happy with the 17 per cent salary increment that Chibuluma South Mine has awarded its members.
But Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation (ZUNO) secretary general Liseli Sitali says his union is happy with the increment Chibuluma has awarded to nurses and midwives because it is better than the 13.5 per cent that the union managed to sign in the previous collective agreement.
Speaking to journalists after the signing of the collective agreement between Chibuluma South Mine, MUZ and ZUNO at Moba Hotel in Kitwe on Wednesday, Phiri said MUZ would have been happier if they got something higher than 17 per cent.
He disclosed that miners wanted an increment of around 70 per cent but the union only managed to get 17 per cent for them.
However, Phiri said the union had accepted the 17 per cent in the 'meantime' in view of the projects that Chibuluma South Mine had embarked on.
"Management of Chibuluma South Mine are saying they've got exploration and other projects in place because each time they have an ore body, they have to exhaust that ore body and they have to get into the next exploration so that they can start another task. So it was quite challenging for us to get what they miners wanted but for the meantime, that is okay but we are not very happy about it," Phiri said.
"What they are mining now is coming to exhaustion, so they've got to go to another area. They will explore another ore body where they will start mining although the cost of producing copper at Chibuluma is low because of the method of mining which they use."
He urged management at the mine to consider remunerating their employees better owing to the low cost of production.
Earlier, Phiri urged management to ensure that the contentious issues that were referred to the joint industrial committee are quickly addressed to avoid industrial unrest at the mine.
The contentious issues include the eight and a half hours, the severance package and the fourth night off for nurses.
And Sitali said nurses' increment at Chibuluma South Mine was good.
"They have given our members 17 per cent salary increment and they have also agreed to be giving them a risk allowance of two per cent of their basic," Sitali said.
He added that although the two per cent risk allowance appeared to be small, the mere principle of introducing it was very important to the union.
Sitali said ZUNO was also happy that management at Chibuluma would start implementing the issue of notches for nurses and midwives in addition to giving them extra responsibility allowances whenever they performed duties outside their mandate.
Sitali also appealed to nurses in public institutions to remain calm and give his union time to negotiate with the government.
He said negotiations were so far going on well.
Sitali urged nurses and midwives to remain united because it was only through unity that they would be able to fight for better conditions of service and prevent migration.
He said it was only when more nurses and midwives stayed in Zambia that they would manage to address issues affecting the health sector.
Meanwhile, Chibuluma South Mine chief services officer Margaret Mwale said management would continue engaging unions as partners in ensuring constant improvement to the well-being of workers through regular social dialogue on issues that affect the overall operations of the company.
Labels: LABOUR, MUZ, SALARIES
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MUZ challenges Mopani to end leaching mine Pollution
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe and Gift Chanda in Lusaka
Fri 09 Mar. 2012, 11:59 CAT
MUZ has challenged Mopani Copper Mines to end pollution at Mufulira West
Heap Leaching Mine and save jobs instead of disputing the findings of the environmental authority.
And Mopani Copper Mine's shareholders have ordered the company management to urgently meet officials from the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) to address pollution challenges that led to the closure of its treatment plant in Mufulira.
Last Thursday, ZEMA ordered Mopani Copper Mine, a unit of leading swiss global commodity trader Glencore International AG, to suspend operations at its Mufulira West Heap Leaching plant for pollution violations.
In an interview yesterday, Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) general secretary Nkole Chishimba said the defensive position that Mopani had taken over the closed Heap Leaching mine would not compel ZEMA to reopen the plant as the environmental authority had indicated that that would only happen when measures were taken to end the strong acid mists the plant was producing.
He said Mopani should urgently begin to redesign the plant and invest in equipment that would stop the acid mists from polluting Butondo Township in line with ZEMA's recommendations.
Chishimba said Mopani management must protect the 310 jobs created by the Mufulira West Heap Leaching plant by working towards improving its operations to the satisfaction of both the community and the environmental authority.
"We want that mine to reopen because our people need those jobs so workers should not be laid but they are supposed to put them on recess. There is a provision to put workers on recess like it happened in Luanshya when they were redoing the winders at Baluba Mine. They did not fire workers because they realised that it was not a permanent closure. So they should follow the provisions of the recess," Chishimba said.
He said matters of environmental concerns, particularly the allegations of massive pollution of the acid mists the heap leach plant was producing should have been addressed as Butondo residents had been complaining for a long time.
Chishimba said Mopani had the capacity to end pollution, save jobs and protect its operations at Mufulira West Heap Leaching Mine.
But Mopani Copper Mines chief executive officer Danny Callow said the company was surprised at the action taken by ZEMA and expressed fears for the 310 jobs created by the project.
In a statement, Callow said every day of the suspension was costing the company in the region of K525 million and called into question whether Mopani could continue to support the jobs created by the Heap Leach Project.
"Whilst the imminent closure notice appears to have been a precautionary measure on the part of ZEMA, we are not sure where they are getting their information from... We have always conducted our heap leaching project in a responsible manner and in line with or exceeding the terms of license," Callow said.
And according to sources at the mine, management has requested for an audience with ZEMA officials with a view of lifting the suspension of operations at its Mufulira West Heap Leaching plant.
"It seems instructions came from Switzerland where majority shareholders Glencore AG are based, that management should seek audience with ZEMA instead of issuing press statements that are dismissing the findings of the Agency," said the sources.
Last week, ZEMA suspended operations Mopani's Mufurila West Heap Leaching plant over pollution violations.
ZEMA stated that it had inspected the site and that heap leaching - a process that involves metals being leached from a heap of crushed ore by applying acid to the soil-couldn't be resumed until the company had completed eight recommended measures to reduce its effect on the surrounding area.
However, Mopani refuted the findings saying it was "surprised" by the suspension of a part of its mines, particularly since the ZEMA had renewed its operating license recently.
"Mopani's heap leach project has been operating since 2007. It has been properly and closely monitored by the relevant authorities and has always been given a clean bill of health, meeting or exceeding the terms of its license," stated Callow.
Labels: MCM, MOPANI, MUZ, POLLUTION
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Government to stay out of MUZ, Kansanshi Mines deadlock
By Kabanda Chulu
Wed 07 Mar. 2012, 11:59 CAT
ACCEPTING the proposed two-year tenure-collective agreement by management at Kansanshi Mines will result in miserable lives for Zambian miners, says MUZ acting president Charles Mukuka.
And labour minister Fackson Shamenda has said government will not intervene in the matter in which Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) and National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) have reached a deadlock with Kansanshi Mines over the tenure of the collective agreement.
In an interview yesterday, Mukuka said the unions wanted management to consider two items.
"Issues to do with improved salaries and putting all workers on permanent employment has been addressed by the company but management has displayed the highest level of dishonesty by bringing the tenure of the collective agreement at the last hour of negotiations," Mukuka said.
"We understand Kansanshi Mines brought in negotiators from Australia where a collective bargaining can run for two or three years but in Zambia it runs for one year and accepting what management is proposing will be suicidal for the miners since our economy is not stable. And it will mean no increments for 2013 and this situation can result in our miners living miserably."
And Shamenda said government has put in place labour laws to facilitate matters relating to industrial disputes.
"When they reach a deadlock, they have to find an independent person to arbitrate and help in reaching an agreement, so government cannot intervene but law will facilitate the process," he said.
Under the current labour laws, when negotiations fail, parties can involve an arbitrator and if that fails to resolve the matter, the case is taken to a board of reconciliators for mediation and if that fail still, the matter is taken to the Industrial Relations Court.
And First Quantum Minerals, the owners of Kansanshi Mines, have reported a US$25 million loss in revenue during the five-day strike action by miners who demanded improved conditions of service.
Miners have since resumed work to allow their unions resolve the dispute.
Labels: FACKSON BANDA, MINING, MUZ
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MUZ demands stand-alone labour ministry
By Mwila Chansa-Ntambi in Kitwe
Tue 21 Feb. 2012, 11:59 CAT
THE Mineworkers Union of Zambia has demanded the immediate re-instatement of the Ministry of Labour as a stand-alone ministry. And MUZ is expected to elect a new president in the next three months.
During a media briefing at Katilungu House in Kitwe yesterday, MUZ general secretary Nkole Chishimba observed that the Ministry of Labour had always been such a major portfolio that it could not be relegated to the basement of another ministry.
"We think labour has been merely relegated to a mere tentacle of another ministry which by any standard can't measure up to any relevance or interlink to warrant the combination," Chishimba said.
"There is no amount of words that will convince us as a union that there was something wrong with the arrangement of Ministry of Labour and Social Security."
Chishimba added that just when stakeholders started getting to terms with the ministry of labour, youth and sport, another strange change in the name of ministry of information, broadcasting and labour had yet again come in to unsettle all players, including technocrats and staff.
He wondered when stakeholders would focus and concentrate on tackling the challenges at labour when they were not even certain of where they were going to be tomorrow.
Chishimba added that the majority of MUZ members invested their hope in the Patriotic Front because they thought labour was going to receive better attention.
"On their behalf, I wish to state that our role did not end at casting the winning ballot but beyond that to continue keeping our politicians in check so that value is added to our democracy and also to guarantee strength, growth and development of labour," said Chishimba.
The labour ministry has been attached to Ministry of Information.
And in an interview, Chishimba said MUZ was likely to elect its new president within three months as per constitutional requirement.
The election has been necessitated following the death of union president Oswell Munyenyembe in a car crash on the Kitwe-Ndola Dual Carriageway on February 7.
"The constitution says someone cannot go beyond three months in acting capacity, so the position will have to be filled up and organisation of the election is done by the supreme council. So we need to organise logistics for all branches throughout Zambia," Chishimba explained.
He appealed to MUZ members to be more supportive of the union now than ever because bereavements usually bring a lot of perceptions.
"There may be a perception that with our president's demise maybe the union will not be as vibrant as it used to be but even when he was alive, we were working as a team. People will carry the mantle that he left. So we are urging our members to be supportive, patient and courageous to continue receiving leadership from us," said Chishimba.
He advised that moving from one union to another would not help anyone.
Labels: MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY, MUZ
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Munyenyembe was a rare voice of reason - Simuusa
By Mwila Chansa-Ntambi in Mufulira
Mon 13 Feb. 2012, 12:59 CAT
A MULTITUDE of people from all sectors of society on Saturday converged in Mufulira to pay their last respects to late Mineworkers Union of Zambia president Oswell Munyenyembe who died in a road accident last Tuesday.
And National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) president Mundia Sikufele has urged the labour movement in Zambia to use Munyenyembe's death to reflect and re-organise itself.
Meanwhile, mines minister Wylbur Simuusa says the government regarded the late Munyenyembe as a rare breed of a brave and courageous trade unionist.
Traffic moved slowly on the Kitwe-Chingola and Mufulira-Sabina roads as hundreds of mourners drove to the border town of Mufulira to pay their last respects to Munyenyembe whose body was interred at Chatulinga Cemetery.
Notable among those that attended the funeral were Simuusa, his deputy Richard Musukwa, works and supply deputy minister Mwenya Musenge, Copperbelt minister Davies Mwila, deputy secretary to the Cabinet in charge of administration Teddy Mulonga, ZCTU president Leonard Hikaumba, Federation of Free Trade Unions of Zambia president Joyce Nonde-Simukoko, politicians from diverse political parties, miners and ordinary citizens.
And delivering the funeral sermon, Rev Chizason Chunda, of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian where Munyenyembe congregated, described the late trade unionist as an exceptional leader and a role model both to the Church and society at large.
Rev Chunda observed that many people might be asking questions as to why God allowed Munyenyembe to die in a tragic accident but they should remember that there was time for everything and that God's time was the best.
He observed that Munyenyembe used the time that God accorded him on earth properly because he dedicated his entire life to fighting for the betterment of human kind and fighting against injustice.
Rev Chunda added that Munyenyembe was a friend to many as could be evidenced by the multitudes that turned up to pay their last respects to him.
He challenged people to take stock of their lives and gauge whether they were using the time God had given them on earth properly.
Rev Chunda added that it did not matter how long a person lived on earth but that what mattered was how that person utilised the time that God gave them on earth.
And speaking at the burial site, Sikufele asked the Zambian labour movement to be united and seek God's guidance so that He could reveal the meaning of Munyenyembe's death.
"The voice of the labour movement which has seemingly become dim should be stronger and we should use this period to re-organise ourselves and serve the people," said Sikufele.
MUZ general secretary Chishimba Nkole said Munyenyembe's death had left a big gap in the oldest union in the mining industry in Zambia.
Nkole urged mourners to ensure that they continued showing their love for Munyenyembe by looking after his children and widow.
Hikaumba said Munyenyembe's demise was a ‘cruel thief' that had robbed the nation of a gallant and courageous leader.
Hikaumba said even though Munyenyembe was offered to stand as a member of parliament on a named political party's seat during last year's elections, he opted to continue representing workers.
And Simuusa said Munyenyembe was a rare voice of common sense and reason and that his contribution to the labour movement was unmatched.
He also said the PF government wanted to see a united and strong labour movement adding that previously, there were deliberate efforts to fragment and weaken the voice of workers.
Munyenyembe is survived by a wife Charity, six children and one grandchild.
He attended primary education in Muyombe; his secondary education in Malawi before studying architecture at the Zambia Institute of Technology (ZIT) which is now the Copperbelt University.
He began his trade union career at branch level in 1983 and rose through the ranks to become general secretary and eventually president, a position he held until his death last week.
Labels: LABOUR, MUNDIA SIFUKELE, MUZ, NUMAW, OSWELL MUNYENYEMBE, WYLBUR SIMUUSA
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President Sata mourns Mine Workers Union of Zambia President Oswell Munyenyembe
TIME PUBLISHED - Wednesday, February 8, 2012, 2:08 pm
President Michael Sata has said that he is deeply saddened over the death of Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) president Oswell Munyenyembe. Mr. Munyenyembe, 59, died in a car crash on the Kitwe-Ndola dual carriageway on Tuesday afternoon. President Sata described the late Munyenyembe as a rare breed and highly valuable and respectable trade unionist.
“Oswell was someone with exemplary trade union skills and it was always a joy to see him doing what he knew best – presiding over negotiations and always accomplishing what his members expected of him,” President Sata said.
“Therefore, I have no doubt in my mind that the effect of this sudden loss is already being felt by both the employees and the management in our robust mining sector. His bravery, courage and maturity even on crucial moments is simply peerless or first-class.”
The President said Munyenyembe has been a beacon of hope, courage and bravery for the labour movement since the commencement of his trade union career in 1983.
“During his many years in the trade union movement, his dedication and selfless nature was always something that many passionately admired and esteemed. Even outside his work, Oswell carried himself as a kind, honest and a man of great honor and strength,” the Head of State said.
President Sata said genuine patriots of mother Zambia will never forget Munyenyembe’s great strides, efforts and contributions to the labour movement.
“Indeed, he will be greatly missed and we are all saddened by his passing and our thoughts and prayers are with the Munyenyembe family,” the President said.
“We pray that the Almighty God gives them comfort and fortitude as they face these immense difficulties.”
Labels: MICHAEL SATA, MUZ, OBITUARIES, OSWELL MUNYENYEMBE
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COMMENT - " Recently, Ministry of Justice permanent secretary Mbololwa Muyaba said the government had no money to pay the former Mpelembe Drilling workers. " Then they better start taxing the mines and collect the dividends that are due to ZCCM-IH. They will have more than enough money to pay all their bills.
MUZ should fight for workers rights, urges Lishika
By Brina Manenga
Sun 05 Feb. 2012, 12:59 CAT
MINEWORKERS Union of Zambia chairman Geoffrey Lishika says he is disappointed with the government's statement that it does not have money to pay former Mpelembe Drilling workers. And Lishika says the union executive members have been dormant, adding that it was time they woke up and fought for the rights of the workers they represented.
"This is unfair because the K8 billion we are requesting is something that we worked for. That money is something that will help the workers start a better life for themselves," said Lishika in an interview.
"So if this government comes today and says it has no money to pay Mpelembe Drilling workers then we are worried. I talked to information minister Fackson Shamenda who stated that there is a committee that has been set by the President to look into the issue. We have not seen anything from that committee that involves the Ministry of Labour, Justice, Mines and Finance."
He said the challenges that former Mpelembe Drilling workers were facing should not be politicised.
"Every government that comes says they will do this and that but because they are not part of the problems we are going through, they cannot feel the pain. The 1,800 ex-workers cannot even send their children to school, but our leaders are sending their children to good schools abroad. It is unfair," he said.
On the union executive, Lishika said: "I have my superiors in the union but I do not know why they are remaining silent. They were not put in the offices just to negotiate salaries. We are expecting our executives to come in and make sure that they salvage the workers but they are doing literally nothing, they need to wake up."
Lishika urged MUZ president Oswell Munyenyembe to work for the benefit of the miners.
Recently, Ministry of Justice permanent secretary Mbololwa Muyaba said the government had no money to pay the former Mpelembe Drilling workers.
Labels: MUZ, OSWELL MUNYENYEMBE
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MUZ backs Kambwili's stance on investors
By Darious Kapembwa and Mwila Chansa-Ntambi
Sun 05 Feb. 2012, 12:59 CAT
THE Mine Workers Union has backed Chishimba Kambwili's tough stance against Chinese investors that abrogate the country's labour laws.
MUZ president Oswell Munyenyembe said in Kitwe yesterday that those that were condemning Kambwili, who is now sports and youth minister following the realignment of ministries by President Michael Sata on Friday, did not know how stubborn some Chinese investors were and how much they mistreated Zambian workers.
"Kambwili is just okay; the Chinese have been mistreating Zambian workers for a long time. They shot 11 miners in Sinazongwe last year. Miners have really suffered at the hands of the Chinese and those that are today condemning Kambwili have been silent when these Chinese have been mistreating their fellow Zambians," Munyenyembe said.
He added that complaints against Chinese investors' mistreatment of Zambian workers were not new but that they had persisted because of inaction.
"The Chinese can't bend if they are not handled by someone who is strong," Munyenyembe said.
He said while investment needed to be supported, it was also important that investors adhered to the provisions of the law.
Munyenyembe added that investment was supposed to benefit both the investors and people in the host nation where those investors invested and that if labour laws were abrogated, then that investment risked becoming futile.
Kambwili has recently come under fire from some sections of society for his hard-line stance against some investors that are abrogating labour laws.
Last week, Kambwili ordered the revocation of the work permit for Sinozam Friendship Hospital chief medical officer Dr Xisheng Qin, a Chinese national, for allegedly being rude.
Kambwili who toured Sinozam Hospital to verify alleged reports of poor conditions of service for employees was upset with Dr Xisheng when he started scolding him for quizzing him over the workers' conditions of service.
Kambwili and Dr Xisheng took each other on, calling each other rude.
Dr Xisheng said Kambwili was being rude by pointing at him while talking.
Kambwili asked his ministry officials to contact the Ministry of Home Affairs so that Dr Xisheng's work permit could be cancelled and gave him seven days to leave Zambia.
But President Sata, in announcing the realignment of ministries, said he made the changes to curb statements that had the potential to alarm the nation and investors alike.
"I would like to direct that the portfolio of tourism be transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the labour portfolio be transferred from youth and sport to Ministry of Information, it shall be known as Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Labour," President Sata said.
"As a government, we have to be level-headed and not be seen to be inciting the public. I expect ministers to discourage strikes and lock-outs. Strikes or industrial unrests have a very negative effect on a fragile economy like ours. The same applies to lock-outs."
He said if not careful, some of the alarming statements had the potential to destroy the little the country has or the little strides it had made economically so far.
President Sata said the government knew that there were numerous shortcomings in almost all sectors but they would not be addressed through threats and being loud-mouthed.
Labels: CHINESE, CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, LABOUR, MUZ, OSWELL MUNYENYEMBE
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Miners accuse government of imposing Mukuka as union leader
By Mwila Chansa-Ntambi
Mon 04 July 2011, 03:58 CAT
THE government allegedly wants to weaken the Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) by imposing Charles Mukuka who is perceived to be a ruling MMD sympathiser as the union’s president.
And councillors at the MUZ supreme council meeting held at Katilungu House in Kitwe on Wednesday demanded that the election of the president be put on the agenda before they could proceed with the meeting.
Meanwhile, Mukuka, who is MUZ acting president, has observed that the exit of former MUZ president Rayford Mbulu had the potential to tear the union apart if people did not exhibit unity of purpose and selflessness.
Well-placed sources within the union told The Post that the government had hijacked MUZ elections and was working at ensuring that acting president Mukuka remains at the union’s helm.
“The thing is that after government hounded out Rayford from MUZ, the supreme council was supposed to elect a new president. The current general secretary Oswell Munyenyembe wanted to stand as president and he was favourite to win but Mukuka pulled a fast one on him,” the source said.
“We are aware that before this supreme council, the deputy general secretary and Mr Mukuka went to Lusaka and pushed that there should be no elections today so even as we were coming, we knew that there would be no elections.”
Another source disclosed that government officials allegedly threatened Munyenyembe that should he go ahead and stand as president, he would be hounded out of MUZ in the same manner that Mbulu was removed.
And during the official opening of the supreme council, councillors unanimously agreed that the election of the president be put on the agenda before the meeting could proceed.
When Munyenyembe called for the adoption of the agenda, a branch official observed that the election of the president was not appearing on the agenda.
“It will appear under number four, we received some correspondence from government,” Munyenyembe said.
But another branch official questioned why the item in question was not appearing when councillors had agreed during the central executive committee meeting that it would appear.
“…I hear you chairman and I agree with your views in totality but the council is at liberty to look at this issue. Let us leave it under correspondence,” he said.
It was not until Munyenyembe squeezed the item in question on the agenda that the councillors agreed to proceed with the meeting.
And in a speech, Mukuka said Mbulu’s exit from MUZ was one of the most unsettling situations ever experienced in organised labour in the mining industry.
“Let me hasten to say that the exit of Mr Mbulu continues to be a very serious challenge with the full potential to tear the union apart if we exhibit lack of unity of purpose, selflessness, focus and indeed tolerance,” Mukuka said.
He also said MUZ had not resolved to back any political party and that, therefore, no MUZ leader had the right to sway the union to their desired direction.
“But we shall continue to work with the government of the day, not the party of the day,” said Mukuka.
Meanwhile, the sources disclosed that the Labour Commissioner wrote to the MUZ council telling them that the elections would not be held due to ‘unforeseen’ circumstances.
Councillors resolved to write to the Labour Commissioner, asking him to state when the elections would be held.
The sources said it was the councillors’ general feeling that MUZ was going down because of government interference.
“Most councillors questioned why MUZ should be run from Lusaka. One of the councillors even said that government should know that miners had already made up their minds on who they are going to vote for,” said the sources.
Labels: MUZ, RAYFORD MBULU
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Profusion of splinter unions worries MUZ
By Mwila Chansa in Kitwe
Fri 22 Apr. 2011, 04:00 CAT
HIDDEN forces are promoting splinter unions in the mining industry to divide the voice of workers, observes Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) General Secretary Oswell Munyenyembe.
In a statement released yesterday, Munyenyembe expressed sadness that while multinational corporations were conglomerating in larger and complex organisations, the opposite was obtaining in Zambia.
“We would like to note with grave concern the mushrooming of splinter unions in the mining industry on grounds that they are likely to weaken the hand of labour,” he stated.
“All over the world trade unions are merging to form strong and formidable trade union organisations to stand the powers and complexity of the firms we are working for.”
He stated that world trends now favoured mergers and strong voices in the union and that the mushrooming of unions was detrimental to the solidarity and strengthening of Zambian workers.
Munyenyembe urged union leaders to prioritise the interest of mergers to build strong and formidable unions if they were to stand the power and complexity of employers.
He observed that the mushrooming unions were not offering anything tangible in terms of ideas or strategies but were merely dividing and weakening the hand of labour in industrial relations.
“We would like to appeal to our employers that the promotion of rival trade unions is a recipe for industrial strife because very soon, no union will possess the legitimate voice of workers in their united sense. We would like to advise that productivity and safety in mine operations can only be guaranteed and promoted by strong and formidable unions that have a large following than the splinter unions that are currently being encouraged,” stated Munyenyembe.
He also appealed to all mine workers to work towards using the democratic ideals of their forefathers in building one strong union if their interests were to be secured.
He further stated that unity was the only way they would fight and conquer vices such as casualisation, outsourcing, sub-contracting and union busting that was currently taking centre stage.
He also urged MUZ members to remain united and focused if they were to extract tangible benefits from rising copper production and the high metal prices.
Labels: MUZ, OSWELL MUNYENYEMBE, TRADE UNIONS
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PF manifesto hollow — MUZ
TIME PUBLISHED - Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 4:03 pm
THE Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) has said the Patriotic Front (PF) manifesto does not provide any new ideas to improve the mining sector.
MUZ acting president Charles Mukuka said in an interview that the manifesto’s segment on mining did not represent any ideas that were not tackled in the MMD’s 2007 manifesto.
Mr Mukuka said it was disappointing that the PF lifted similar plans from the ones that the MMD had in 2007 to implement in the mining industry instead of working on different ideas that would attract support from the public.
He said various policies and frameworks that the PF were referring to in their new manifesto had already been or were being successfully undertaken by the Government.
“It is surprising that the PF’s manifesto talks of uncertainty in the mining industry when in fact Government has managed to woo a lot of investors to the sector,” he said.
Mr Mukuka said the PF manifesto talked of failure by the MMD Government to diversify the mining sector but he said various new mine activities had been established including manganese and nickel mining in Luapula and Southern provinces respectively.
He said Government had undertaken various policy changes, which had galvanised and increased mining investment in Zambia and that it was unfortunate that the opposition did not provide convincing new policy plans for the sector.
“This is simply a replica of the MMD’s 2007 manifesto which also tabulated how the party would provide among other things revolving funds for small-scale miners,” he said.
Mr Mukuka said under the MMD manifesto also contained plans to diversify mining activities from the traditional copper mining and a review of the legislative frame work.
Meanwhile, the Sub-Saharan Gemstone Exchange (SGE) has said there has been unprecedented investment in the mining sector in the last five years.
SGE president Phesto Musonda said in an interview that the high levels of investment could only come about with the implantation of good economic policies and an attractive investment environment.
Mr Musonda said investment confidence was clear through the amount of pledged investment by mining companies, especially on the Copperbelt.
“Already we have Luanshya Mine committing US $300 million to its expansion, with Mopani and Trident announcing billions of dollars in investments,” he said.
Mr Musonda said the long-term tax regime in Zambia had played an important role in attracting more investment because it in turn allowed the investors to recoup the investment, make their profits and remit the required taxes.
He said policy on small-scale mines had also improved with a focus on empowering Zambian entrepreneurs, especially those in the gemstone industry.
“In the past there had been challenges in implementing diversification but it was realised that the small scale mining industry was a major contributor to the success of the process,” he said.
Mr Musonda said the Government had put up policy that ensured that all artisan licenses such as construction in the industry were given to Zambians.
And some civil society organisations have described the PF manifesto as inadequate and hollow because it was mostly a replica of the MMD and UPND manifestos, with most of the proposals already being implemented by the current Government.
Committee of Citizens executive director Gregory Chifire said in an interview yesterday that his organisation was disappointed that the PF manifesto wants to promote a secular State.
“The manifesto and the party constitution contradict themselves, in their constitution they are saying that State institutions would be run by party loyalists. Instead of giving a proper road map of their own of how they want to manage the affairs of the country, they keep referring to the MMD which means it is a copy cut,” he said.
The PF manifesto did address the real issues and does not inspire confidence that the opposition party would be the alternative Government.
Forum for Leadership Search executive director Edwin Lifwekelo said most of the proposals in the PF blueprint were already being implemented by the MMD Government.
“I have read through the manifesto which the PF is circulating and clearly it is a copy cat of the MMD manifesto which RB (President Rupiah Banda) and the MMD are already implementing even better,” he said.
He said with the revision of the MMD manifesto at the party convention in Kabwe, the ruling party was well placed to move the country forward.
“The PF manifesto is a duplicate of the MMD manifesto, Mr Michael Sata has no capacity to write his own manifesto, he had copied the UNIP constitution as well, so it is a blank cheque,” he said.
Bishops Council of Zambia spokesperson Gibson Nyirenda said the PF manifesto was a confirmation that the ruling party was on the right track in developing the country.
“We have seen how the economy has been growing under the MMD Government and am sure that the PF manifesto is an acknowledgement of that the economy is growing,” he said.
The PF recently launched its manifesto which they have been circulating.
Times of Zambia
Labels: MANIFESTO, MUZ, PF, PHESTO MUSONDA
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MUZ urges 50%+1 in electoral Act
By Misheck Wangwe
Mon 28 Mar. 2011, 04:00 CAT
THE inclusion of 50 per cent plus one threshold in the electoral Act before elections is inevitable because Zambians deserve a popular Republican president, according to Mineworkers Union of Zambia.
In an interview, MUZ general secretary Oswell Munyenyembe said there was need for government to respect the demands of the people who initially spoke through the Mung'omba draft constitution that the country needed the 50 per cent plus one vote for the winning presidential candidate.
He said there was no need for the government and stakeholders to continue fighting over constitutional reforms because it was clear that elections would only be credible if the wishes of the people were embraced by the Constitution. “ It's the people of Zambia who have been calling for constitutional reforms for many years. The issue of 50 per cent plus one and the need for other critical clauses to be enshrined in the constitution has always been the people's voice. So the people's calls must be respected because we need credible elections this year and the threshold would enhance the legitimacy of the elected president and his government,” Munyenyembe said.
And Munyenyembe said the politics of insults and character assassination that had been embraced by politicians were not inspiring the electorates.
He said every well-meaning Zambians, including mineworkers, who had influence in the electoral process were interested in seeing issue based campaigns.
Munyenyembe said insults and violent campaigns were extremely embarrassing and would not end poverty or address the many economic challenges the country was facing.
“ The government should tell the nation what it has done for the people and why it deserves to remain in power. The opposition should also tell the people what it will do to transform the economy and bring positive change. If the minds of politicians are occupied with real issues, electorates will have the opportunity to make wise decisions and that's the essence of democracy,” he said.
Munyenyembe said people would be able to see and judge who would make a better government by looking at the manner in which they were conducting their campaigns.
Labels: 50 PERCENT PLUS 1, MUZ, OSWELL MUNYENYEMBE
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Windfall tax re-introduction meaningless without transparency - MUZ
By Florence Bupe and Kabanda Chulu
Sat 05 Feb. 2011, 04:00 CAT
ZAMBIANS should demand transparency from government in the use of revenue from the mining industry before pushing for the re-introduction of the windfall tax. And the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) says government must develop a policy framework to compel investors to deposit 50 per cent of their profits in local banks to strengthen the foreign exchange reserve bases.
Making a submission to the parliamentary committee on economic affairs on the impact of extractive industries on Zambia’s economy in the post privatisation era, Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) deputy secretary general Nkole Chishimba said the re-introduction of windfall tax would be meaningless without transparency.
He said the government should clearly explain how resources from the mining industry are being utilised.
“Before we ask for the re-instatement of windfall tax, it is important to ask how the money we are currently getting (in form of mining taxes) is being utilised.
Without transparency, we risk finding ourselves in a situation where the windfall tax is reintroduced with ordinary Zambians still not benefiting from the industry,” Chishimba said.
He said the current mining tax regime is not adequate enough to effectively guarantee benefits for the country’s economy.
Chishimba said the government had not done much to seize the opportunities that exist in the extractive industry to grow the economy.
He said the government could help strengthen the local currency by ensuring maximum benefits from the mining industry and attractive commodity prices on the international market.
Chishimba further urged government to strictly regulate the externalisation of mining revenue if the country’s economy is to benefit meaningfully from the industry.
And committee member George Mpombo said Zambia has been turned into a ‘fool’s paradise’ with foreign investors reaping benefits from the country’s resources, while local people have no benefits to refer to.
Meanwhile, the CCZ has challenged government to establish a transparent environmental fund for use to clean up the environment being destroyed by the mines. In its latest policy brief on extractive industries, the CCZ stated that there was need for an increase in the sharing of benefits of the proceeds of mining.
“Zambia must immediately develop a policy that provides for retention of a percentage of copper proceeds in Zambia, for example, the local currency will be stabilised and more funds can be available for investments by local Zambians if investors are compelled to deposit at least 50 per cent of their profits with local banks,” it stated.
It stated that local councils should be empowered to decide what taxes to charge the mines so that revenue gained is used to improve livelihoods within the mining areas.
Through its social and economic justice programme, the CCZ, since 2009, has undertaken activities aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in the management of natural resources. These included raising community awareness on natural resource management, commissioning a research on uranium mining policy review and the launch of the report on its findings and engaged parliamentarians on private members’ motion advocacy.
Labels: GEORGE MPOMBO, MUZ, WINDFALL TAX
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