South Africa's AMCU union to strike at world's top platinum producers
By Reuters
Mon 20 Jan. 2014, 07:30 CAT
COMMENT - Why would anyone expect neoliberals to come up with a plan - any plan? China's wealth is based on many decades of central planning. (In fact you could argue that China's proliferous population is based on centuries of central planning - including the Grand Canal, which supplies the country with water for irrigation. - MrK)
The main trade union for South African platinum miners will strike next week at the world's top three producers, hitting over half of global output and the margins of companies struggling to make profits.
A simultaneous stoppage at the three producers would hit a key South African export at a time when the rand currency is near five-year lows, and deal a fresh blow to investor confidence in Africa's biggest economy.
Renewed labor unrest would also be an unwelcome distraction for President Jacob Zuma and his ruling African National Congress (ANC) ahead of general elections expected in three months.
Members of South Africa's Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) voted overwhelmingly on Sunday to strike at world No. 1 producer Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) in a show of hands in a stadium in the platinum belt city of Rustenburg.
Around 15,000 miners had piled into the stadium in a display of force ahead of the industrial action.
In recent days, AMCU members also voted to strike at Amplats' rivals Lonmin and Impala Platinum (Implats).
AMCU president Joseph Mathunjwa told the rally that Amplats would be served notice of the strike action on Monday and workers would down tools on Thursday.
The union said last week it would do the same at Lonmin and spokesman Jimmy Gama told Reuters after the mass meeting that Implats would also get its notice on Monday.
"Comrades, let's intensify the struggle for a better wage," Mathunjwa, a charismatic lay preacher who has styled himself as a Christian warrior waging class war for South Africa's black workers, said to roars of approval from the crowd.
He earlier swept into the stadium in a brand new Lexus car, flanked by three burly white bodyguards, to a rock star welcome and wild cheers from AMCU members, most of whom were clad in the union's trademark green shirts.
Such a display of wealth and power is sure to be fodder for the critics of AMCU, which poached tens of thousands of members from the once unchallenged National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in part by exploiting rank and file perceptions that its rival had grown too close to management.
Its turf war with NUM has killed dozens of people and sparked a wave of wildcat strikes in 2012 that pushed Amplats, a unit of Anglo American, into the red that year.
But AMCU has been playing by the rules and has permission from a government mediator - a legal requirement in South Africa - to proceed with the strikes, provided it gives the employers notice of at least 48 hours.
The union conflict also has political implications as NUM is a key ally of the ANC and speakers criticized the ruling party.
Madiba Bukhali, a regional AMCU leader, told the rally that miners had put the ANC in parliament "but now they have forgotten us, now that they are out of this hole."
"Zuma, we voted for him but he has built a huge house and forgotten his neighbors," he said, referring to a $21 million state-funded security upgrade to the president's private home that has been widely criticized by the South African press and opposition parties.
Labels: AMCU SA, PLATINUM, UNIONS
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Govt declines to process FQM, NUMAW deal
By Darious Kapembwa
Wed 18 Dec. 2013, 14:00 CAT
THE government has declined to process the 2014 collective agreement signed between First Quantum Mining and the National Union of Miners and Allied Workers.
The agreement in question which rival union, the Mineworkers Union of Zambia, refused to sign entailed that NUMAW members were to get a 25 per cent salary increment covering a period of three years. The workers were to get 10 per cent in 2014, eight per cent in 2015 and seven per cent in 2016 which also meant that there was not going to be negotiations for better salaries and improved conditions of service.
NUMAW president James Chansa signed on behalf of his union despite resistance from some of his members while MUZ refused to sign, saying it was a betrayal to the general membership.
According to a letter dated December 13, signed by labour commissioner Cecilia Mulindeti Kamanga, to the two unions and FQMO obtained by The Post, the ministry was unable to process the collective agreement because it was not supported by consensus from representatives of all the workers concerned whose conditions of service were under review.
"The office of the undersigned is in receipt of the 2014 Collective Agreement signed between FQMO and NUMAW for approval by the Minister of Labour and Social Security in accordance with section 70 and 71 of the Industrial and Labour Relations Act Cap 269," read the letter in part.
"In addition, communication has been received from MUZ indicating that they are not party to the 2014 Collective Agreement as also confirmed by the minutes of the signing ceremony held on 3rd December 2013...In this regard, I wish to refer the Collective Agreement back to the Joint Industrial Council for the employee representatives to have a collective position on the offer from management," read the letter.
Reacting to the development, MUZ general secretary Joseph Chewe said it was pleasing that the government was not compromised when it came to defending workers' rights.
"We thank the government, unlike the previous government where some ministers and some union leaders were compromised by multilateral corporations. But we wish to call upon law enforcement agencies to extend the fight against corruption to unions, so that people live within their means and represent our members without being compromised," said Chewe.
Chansa was unavailable for comment by press time.
Labels: FQM, JAMES CHANSA, LABOUR, NUMAW, UNIONS
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Tunkara's arrest saddens former UNZASU president
By Staff Reporter
Fri 22 Mar. 2013, 14:01 CAT
FORMER UNZASU president Kelvin Hambwezya has described the arrest of current union leader Ali Tunkara for forgery, uttering false statements and attempted theft as shameful.
Hambwezya has advised the current student leadership to lead the union in a mature manner bearing in mind the important role it plays in the country.
Speaking in light of the arrest of University of Zambia Students' Union (UNZASU) president Ali Tunkara and two other students for forgery, uttering and attempted theft of KR50,000, Hambwezya said he was saddened by the development.
"I am trembling with shame to see UNZASU president being dragged to court over alleged criminal activities. UNZA is known for fighting for justice. Since it was formed it has championed good causes," Hambwezya said.
"I humbly request the University of Zambia authorities and government wings involved to sort out the matter administratively especially that the money was not stolen because their future will be in tartars."
Hambwezya said it was important for UNZASU leaders to run the union in a mature enough manner and not embarrass those that once led it.
"I ran that institution at a critical time during the third term debate of the late president Frecerick Chiluba… We organised demonstrations, collaborated with Civil society organisations and together we brought to a halt that attempt to abrogate Constitution of the land. So UNZASU is known for such things not illegality. Can the President (Michael Sata) pardon these guys," said Hambwezya.
The Drug Enforcement Commission arrested Tunkara and two other students for forgery, uttering of false documents and attempted theft involving K50 million (KR50,000).
Tunkara, 25, of 22/11 Emmasdale Lusaka, was arrested and jointly charged with Augustine Mukuka, 24, of Chilanga and Philip Siame, 24, of 7876/2 Woodlands Extension, Lusaka.
It is alleged that Tunkara whilst acting jointly with Mukuka and Siame, both students at UNZA, between December 1, 2012 and January 31, 2013, did forge the signature of the deputy Dean of Students, purporting that he had authored an introductory letter to a named bank to enable them open a bank account for the union and deposit a cheque of K50,000,000, donated to the student union by Munali PF member of parliament Nkandu Luo through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Tunkara has meanwhile pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Labels: ALI TUNKARA, KELVIN HAMBWEZYA, STUDENTS, UNIONS, UNSAZU
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Zimbabwean workers, foreign employers in labour wars
Saturday, 07 April 2012 16:29
Lincoln Towindo
Zimbabwe has, in recent years, witnessed an influx of foreign business-people most of whom have set up lucrative ventures across the country notably in manufacturing, construction and mining, among many other sectors.
Businesses owned by Nigerians, Indians and Chinese nationals are common in a country grappling with high levels of unemployment. However, this “invasion” by foreign employers has coincided with an increase in the number of labour disputes.
The Labour Court continues to be inundated with such disputes, pitting Zimbabwean workers against their foreign employers.
Eyebrows have already been raised over the operations of foreign business-people with observers expressing fear that some of them are slowly entrenching poor labour practices locally.
Labour expert Mr Langton Chisamba bemoaned the state of affairs and urged Government to act swiftly.
“The state of labour relations in Zimbabwe is appalling,” he said.
“Foreigners have, of late, gained notoriety for the way they interact with their employees. We have recorded countless cases of unfair dismissals.
“There is need to re-evaluate the way worker-employer relations are governed because it seems the enabling statutory regulations are lagging behind in a fast- changing environment.
“In times like these, when things are changing for the worst, almost on a daily basis, there is need for central Government to step in.”
Of concern has been the eagerness by some local business-people to pay their employees low salaries despite making huge profits.
Tied to poor remuneration are long working hours and deplorable working conditions.
Factory workers are, in some instances, not provided with protective wear such as overalls, gloves and industrial boots.
Of concern to many is the ill-treatment of the workers.
Workers who spoke to The Sunday Mail In-Depth said they do not receive basic employment benefits such as medical aid, pension and leave days.
Agitation for trade unionism within some of the companies is usually met with summary dismissal.
Last year, Mr Evans Muchererwa (25), a former worker at a Chinese-owned construction company, was summarily dismissed after an altercation with his immediate boss.
He was accused of stealing a spade.
He was then involved in a physical fight with his employer, which resulted in him being hospitalised.
The Labour Relations Act, which governs employee-employer relations provides for the protection of workers’ rights.
It also provides for workers’ right to strike while guaranteeing fairness at the work place.
The Act also provides for employees’ entitlement to membership of trade unions and workers’ committees while prohibiting forced labour.
Labour lawyer Mr Felix Antonio of Antonio and Associates said most local workers are not aware of their rights.
He said the Labour Act seeks to create harmony between the operations of the employer and employee.
“The labour laws in Zimbabwe do not change whether the employer is of foreign origin or not,” he said.
“The same laws and regulations apply to every employer. In the event of a dispute between an employer and employee, the issue should be taken up by the particular industry’s national employment council (NEC).
“If the NEC fails to deal with the case to the satisfaction of both parties, then the dispute will have to be taken to the Labour Court which will be guided by the Labour Relations Act in coming up with a determination.
“However, in my view, many local employees are not aware of their rights, leading to their subsequent abuse by employers.”
Mr Lin Wang, a Chinese business-man who runs a clothing and household electrical appliances shop in central Harare said the Chinese had a history of respecting other people’s self esteem and dignity.
He said cases of abuse of workers were very few and far between.
“The cases of abuse that are being reported are very few and there is no need for an uproar over these cases,” he said.
“As Chinese people, we are taught the importance of respecting other people’s rights and dignity wherever we go.
“However, it should not be forgotten that we are in business to make money and not to make friends.”
In today’s viciously competitive business environment, a good number of companies seems to be failing to strike a balance between catering for the worker and ensuring business viability.
Business contends that under the obtaining economic conditions, firms cannot guarantee absolute compliance with the governing laws.
The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) has been at the forefront of calling for the amendment of the Labour Relations Act.
Commenting ahead of the finalisation of the consolidated Zimbabwe Law Reform Proposals, CZI president Dr Joseph Kanyekanye said the existing law is not friendly to business operations.
“We feel that the Labour Relations Act is not business friendly as it borrows more from concepts of the developed world. Industry is still in the process of recovery, hence, any labour reform should be reflective of the obtaining operating environment,” he said.
Labour unions have, however, been conspicuous by their inability to voice their disapproval of the apparent labour violations in the country.
Some say they have lost the plot in representing the interests of the worker.
Analysts have accused the main trade unions of playing politics at the expense of their constituency.
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Mr George Nkiwane said the abuse of local workers is rife in sectors such as construction and mining.
“We have received reports, especially involving Chinese-owned companies in the mining and construction sectors,” he said.
“When abuse of workers takes place whether at local or foreign-owned companies, we refer the victims to their affiliate unions. For instance, if the dispute takes place in the mining sector, we refer the workers to our affiliates in the mining sector for resolution.
“All companies and their workers in Zimbabwe, except civil servants, operate under the same labour laws. There should be no favouritism or preferential treatment on account of a person’s race or nationality.
“It is a sad that most workers are unaware of their rights.”
Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions president Mr Jacob Gwavava said foreign employers are firing workers involved in trade unionism. He said both foreigners and locals are guilty of abusing workers.
“We have dealt with complaints emanating from both local and foreign-owned companies,” he said.
“However, the worst cases are from the foreign companies especially those from Asia.
“We have also had problems when cases involving foreigners are brought to us for arbitration. In many cases, the perpetrators pretend as if they cannot understand
English.
“Some employers are also firing their workers for being members of a trade union.”
Labels: CHINESE, LABOUR, UNIONS
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Unions are negotiating under duress - FFTUZ
By Kabanda Chulu
Mon 26 Mar. 2012, 11:58 CAT
TRADE unions are negotiating under duress unless government amends the industrial and labour relations Act that currently empowers employers to withdraw recognition agreement from a trade union by application to government, says FFTUZ national secretary Lyson Mando.
Speaking at the ZUFIAW professional negotiators' forum, whose objective was sharpening the skills of negotiators and building their knowledge base and expertise, Mando on Friday challenged the government to put in place labour reforms which recognise fundamental rights such as the right to join a trade union of employees' choice, right to collective bargaining and freedom to organise.
"These rights were diluted in 2008 by the MMD government which amended the Act to empower employers to initiate the process of withdrawing recognition agreement from a trade union by application to government. This sad development has resulted in compromising the power relations in the bargaining process as trade unions are currently negotiating under duress," Mando said.
"Employers are engaging in the take-it-or-leave-it mode of bargaining instead of the traditional give-and-take mode, and this is resulting in delays in concluding collective agreements."
He said the other amendment to the industrial and labour relations Act empowers the government to interfere in the trade union leadership by means of dissolving a duly elected union executive on suspicion of financial impropriety.
"This action is taken without regard to appropriate trade union structures where leadership is constitutionally accountable to. FFTUZ has been lobbying the new government to find ways of restoring the lost rights and we are hopeful the process initiated by the PF government in consultation with ILO to realign Zambian labour laws with international labour standards will soon be concluded and enacted into law so that Zambian workers are not subjected to poor wages and conditions of service."
And ZUFIAW president Cephas Mukuka urged Bank of Zambia Governor Dr Michael Gondwe to build on the spirit of mutual consultations and dialogue that was started by his predecessor Dr Caleb Fundanga.
"We have previously provided the central bank with informed insights about unsound activities in the banking sector which led to corrective measures being taken in time to save the industry. When workers fail to be whistle-blowers, what follows is the destruction of jobs and livelihoods due to corporate failures arising from greed," said Mukuka.
Labels: CEPHAS MUKUKA, FFTUZ, LYSON MANDO, UNIONS, ZUFIAW
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Kruger Park to meet union about strike, salaries
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Feb 25 2012 15:57
The Kruger National Park has said it would meet with union representatives in a bid to end the
nearly month-old strike by field rangers. Spokesperson Gabrielle Venter said a meeting would take place in the coming week.
"A joint task team meeting will take place on [February 29] in order to consider the extent of salary disparities, where identified, and recommend measures to be implemented to ensure salary parity," she said in a statement.
Workers have demanded equal salaries across the board. They believe employees in similar positions should earn equal salaries regardless of varying years of experience or training. The park has hired retired rangers and has been assisted by the South African Police Service and the SA National Defence Force during the strike.
A meeting was held on February 22 between South African National Parks (Sanparks) and the Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (Hospersa), one of the main unions operating within Sanparks.
'Concerns being addressed'
Discussions centred around finding an amicable resolution to salary disparity concerns raised by a group of non-unionised employees, currently on strike.
The parties have also agreed to review the Subsistence and Travel Policy before April 1, to benchmark Sanparks' salaries against those of similar organisations.
Venter said discussions so far had given positive results and that salaries had been increased by 26% over the past two years and an average of 35% for employees in the Paterson A and B Bands respectively.
"The parties further resolved to call upon all striking employees to return to work as their concerns are being addressed," said Venter.
--Sapa
Labels: UNIONS, WILDLIFE
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Nationalise SA's mines? Sounds good, says NUM
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Jun 08 2011 15:11
The National Union of Mineworkers has come out in support of the ANC Youth League's push to nationalise mines, as proposed in principle by the Freedom Charter. The National Union of Mineworkers' (NUM) central committee on Wednesday backed the Freedom Charter's clause on nationalisation, a principle championed by the ANC Youth League's leader, Julius Malema.
"The central committee (CC) fully supports the Freedom Charter clause on nationalisation as well as the ANC 2010 NGC resolution on the matter," the union's general secretary Frans Baleni said in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
The relevant section of the Freedom Charter reads: "The mineral wealth beneath the soil, the banks and monopoly industry shall be transferred to the ownership of the people as a whole."
"The CC supported in particular the research and reference group mooted by the ANC which would culminate on a formal policy decision," Baleni said.
The ANC resolved at its national general council to probe the viability of nationalisation and the state's role in key sectors of the economy.
The party's youth league, led by its president Julius Malema, put nationalisation on the ruling party's agenda at its mid-term policy gathering.
Baleni said the union had not held any discussions with the ANCYL on nationalisation but was open to talks. The NUM was "engaging" with the ANC and the party was the "decision-making body" in the matter.
The NUM was briefing the media after its two-day central committee meeting in Boksburg last week.
Secrecy concerns
The NUM also noted the debate in Parliament over the contentious Protection of Information Bill.
"CC supports the need to have public information protected, but not [to] the detriment of... state information being available to the public," Baleni said.
The union, a Cosatu affiliate, would speak to the federation about a public campaign to reject attempts to give powers to individuals to classify information.
Corruption
The NUM proposed an anti-corruption campaign to be coordinated by the ruling alliance -- the ANC, Cosatu, the SA Communist Party and the SA National Civics Organisation.
Baleni said corruption took various forms -- with some shop stewards "selling jobs" for between R1 000 and R3 000.
"If you are a woman and you don't have the cash, you pay in kind," he said.
Initiatives to curb corruption should include supporting government processes.
Multinational reservations
The NUM central committee was opposed to the sale of Metorex to the Brazilian multinational company, Vale.
"This multinational company has displayed anti-union behaviour wherever they operate."
-- Sapa
Labels: FREEDOM CHARTER, NATIONALISATION, NUM (SA), UNIONS
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A raw deal for mine workers
By Post Editor
Mon 03 May 2010, 04:40 CAT
WHEN a system ceases to promote a common good and favours special interests, it must not only be denounced as unjust but there’s also need to break with the evil system.
The workers on our copper mines under their unions have for a long time been complaining about the raw deal they are receiving from foreign investors in the mining sector of our economy. But those in power don’t seem to care, don’t seem interested to listen to them or to hear their cry.
As Oswell Munyenyembe, the Mine workers Union of Zambia secretary general, has observed, the miners have been raising various concerns but the government seems to have turned a deaf ear to everything they are saying.
And when the government has tried to respond to their complaints, it has been by way of lip service and not concrete action. And we agree with Munyenyembe that the government has always been protecting the investors more than the Zambian workers.
And it is not just this government. The Levy Mwanawasa government, like the Frederick Chiluba government before it, also did the same.
The mine workers were even betrayed by their own union leaders at the beginning of the privatisation process who went all-out to promote and protect the interests of foreign investors at their expense.
Mine workers know from experience that they must count on themselves and their own initiatives more than on the help from government. And it would be a delusion for them to wait passively for a change of heart in those who “will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead” (Luke 16:31). It is primarily up to them to effect their own betterment.
They must regain confidence in themselves, their unions and its leadership. They must work zealously to fashion their own destiny.
Changes must be made; present conditions must be improved. The mine workers must get together, for only unity will enable them to demand and achieve real justice.
We should not allow foreign investors in the mining sector to come and exploit our impoverished people under the pretext of developing the country. These things incite the exasperating strains of excessive nationalism, which is hostile to authentic collaboration with other peoples and nations in this highly globalising world.
Mine workers, at all mines of some significance, have a right and duty to form real trade unions, so that they may press for and demand their rights.
Chinese mining enterprises should not be allowed to deny their Zambian workers these rights. And these rights include a just wage. It is not enough for these rights to be recognised on paper by the law.
The laws must be implemented, and the government must exercise its powers in this area to serve the workers. It is high time our workers on the mines, supported by all of us including our government, defended their right to live.
When God appeared to Moses, it was said to him: “I have seen the miserable state of my people in Egypt, I have heard their appeal to be free of their slave drivers…I mean to deliver them” (Ex. 3:7). And the earthly foreshadowing of this is social justice.
Most of our workers on the mines find themselves in a state of poverty due to poor working conditions, the injustice of which cries to heaven for vengeance.
The epoch in which we are living is a critical moment in the history of salvation. For this reason, it is necessary to give this problem absolute priority and orient our work around it.
In this way, we can hope to participate, as best as we can, in the common quest of all our people for a more just and more peaceful society. We should work together toward the construction of a society in which all our people will find their place, and in which they will enjoy economic justice.
The present situation in our country calls for more radical changes. Every human being of goodwill should be committed to changing this social order that is cruelly unjust. To refuse such a commitment would be to make oneself an accomplice of injustice.
If we do not commit ourselves to changing a system that prevents most of our fellow citizens from achieving personal fulfilment, then we are not helping them to live out their vocation. In short, we are betraying their mission to serve the progress of human history.
These poor conditions that our miners are everyday complaining about are the product of unjust economic social structures. But those who benefit from these structures will not allow our workers to change anything. Even their strike actions will be outlawed.
Those who exploit our workers, and who wish to keep doing this, use de facto violence against them. This violence is often veiled under the guise of a fallacious order and legality, but it is violence and injustice nevertheless. It is not human, and hence, it is not Christian.
The structures of our society must be transformed from the roots up. The task is more necessary today than ever before because those who benefit from the unjust order in which we live are defending their interest in an aggressive, intolerant and corrupt way.
They use all the means at their disposal – propaganda, defence of a discriminatory legal setup, repression and dictatorship if necessary – to prevent a radical transformation from taking place. Only by radically changing the way we manage the affairs of our country will our workers be able to get a better deal.
We see, with great clarity, that here neutrality is impossible. Either we serve the lives of our people working on the mines, or we are accomplices to their death.
The priority of work over capital places an obligation in justice upon foreign investors, and all other investors, to consider the welfare of workers before the increase of profits.
The motive of foreign investors, and indeed all other investors, should be not only to make profit but even more to contribute to the common good of society. Their enterprises must be a community of solidarity. They have a strict duty to give their employees a just wage. And of course, their employees also have a strict duty to give them an efficient and conscientious work.
It is clear to all that for our workers to get a better deal, they will need to construct a government that is truly devoted to entirely working and struggling for them and their interests.
The governments they have had so far have governed against them in favour of the owners of capital. This needs to change and it is their duty to change it and act in their own interest.
We say this because if they don’t do it for themselves, no one will do it for them. They work for others but no one works for them.
Labels: TRADE UNIONS, UNIONS
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MMD, ex-miners ‘alliance’ will not work - Kaluba
By Mwila Chansa in Kitwe
Mon 03 May 2010, 03:20 CAT
NATIONAL Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) national secretary Goodwell Kaluba has charged that the government has totally failed to address miners’ concerns.
And Kaluba has observed that the ‘alliance’ between the MMD and some ex-miners will not yield anything. In an interview, Kaluba complained that the miners’ concerns had fallen on deaf ears despite the many meetings held with the government.
He said issues such as engagement of expatriates at the expense of Zambians had been a major concern to the union for a long time now.
“We as a union are very disappointed with government because they have totally failed to address the concerns of our members,” he said.
“There are a lot of things happening in the mining industry. Just recently in Lumwana, there was an overhaul and people came in from South Africa to work on that. Surely, did all the jobs happening there require the services of expatriates from as far as South Africa?”
Kaluba said mining firms like Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) had an influx of Indians working on jobs that could be done by the locals.
“A lubricator, are you telling me this country cannot afford to produce a lubricator? Some of those people have even come to learn these jobs from Zambians. During negotiations when we raise these issues, companies give a lot of excuses but how does government give these people permits when they know that we have a lot of qualified Zambians who are just roaming the streets?”
Kaluba wondered. “Yes, we know that these investors have bought the mining companies but the rules of the land must be respected.
Zambians should be a priority when they are employing. Of course there are certain jobs that need expatriates but we can’t have foreigners working as artisans. It is very disappointing. We don’t know where we are going with this government.”
Kaluba implored the government to change its attitude, saying unions looked forward to seeing more Zambians in employment.
And Kaluba said the ‘alliance’ between the MMD and the ex-miners would not succeed because it involved former president Frederick Chiluba who had failed the miners when he was president.
He said some miners that were laid off in the Chiluba era died without ever getting their monies from the so-called trust fund. Kaluba described as a joke Chiluba’s promises to help the ex-miners.
“If Chiluba turns around today and says that he will help the ex-miners, that is just a joke. It is just politicking. I would like to tell those ex-miners that it won’t go anywhere,” observed Kaluba.
Last Thursday, Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) secretary general Oswell Munyenyembe said he did not see how miners would support the MMD in 2011 if the government continued ignoring their plight.
Munyenyembe also complained that the engagement of expatriates at the expense of Zambians was one such concern that had not been addressed.
Munyenyembe also accused the MMD of sponsoring some elements to challenge him and MUZ president Rayford Mbulu at the just-ended MUZ elections.
Labels: GOODWELL KALUBA, MMD, NEOLIBERALISM, TRADE UNIONS, UNIONS
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COMMENT - What Malawi needs is a massive unionisation of ordinary workers. Let not one shop operate in the country, unless they sign an agreement to only hire unionised workers. If they don't - don't give them a license, if they renege, revoke their license to operate. I am not at all for xenophobia or any kind of anti-Indian sentiment. However, there are real underlying issues here, and unless well-meaning, humanitarian people take them up and fast, less scrupulous individuals will run with them. Malawi is being exploited, not by Indian shopkeepers, but by corporate capital and colonial era landholdings, which have more rights than the entire electorate, which directly undermines democracy and the consensus of the population that the government has the right to rule. Unless there is a government in place that protects the rights and opportunities of the Malawian citizens, and not transnational corporations/donors, there will be no development, no social stability, and no economic growth that means anything to any ordinary person in the country.
Bingu’s popural ratings boosted after deporting economic saboteurs
By Nyasa Times
Published: September 14, 2009
The popularity of President Bingu Wa Mutharika has soared after the deportation of four executives of tobacco buying companies. This has led to some analyst questioning whether Malawi was a xenophobic inclined country.
Nyasa Times correspondents in the capital city Lilongwe and the commercial capital, Blantyre reports that mostly labourers were rejoicing at the deportation of the executives.
In an interview with Nyasa Times, some guards who work for Group 4-security service hailed President Mutharika and asked if he could extend the deportation leaf to foreign company executives who are paying Malawians very meager salaries.
“I am happy with what Ngwazi (Wa Mutharika) has done. It shows he loves his people. But my plea is that he should also come and look at our plight especially we who work for such company’s like Group 4″, said a man who only identified himself as ‘Anijo’ working for Group 4.
In Limbe, workers for Asian owned companies welcomed the President’s action and called on him to deport all Asian businessmen who were violating the minimum wage requirement.
“I get paid K700 per fortnight, yet our shop makes thousands a day. When we complain, bwana just tells us to find a job elsewhere. And the biggest problem is with Malawians. There is always someone ready to take over your job the minute you leave”, said a worker for one of the Indian owned shops. [I hear a call for UNIONS! - MrK]
Some workers at a bakery commended Wa Mutharika and hoped that this would instill fear in foreigners who are abusing Malawians.
“Dr. Mutharika is my hero. We need him to do a lot more to these foreigners. They come here as investors and end up abusing Malawians. We are treated like dogs in our own country,” Feston Namaona.
Some of the notables who have hailed Mutharika for the deportation include the president of the Economics Association of Malawi, Thomas Munthali and renowned economist Mabvuto Bamusi. Meanwhile, some sections of society have questioned whether Malawi is a xenophobic country. Brighton Thole, law student said he could not understand the excitement of Malawians at the deportation of the foreign executives.
“I am not saying the President is wrong, but I am wondering why Malawians are so happy with the action. This drives me to believe that to some extents Malawians might be holding far right nationalist ideologies,” he said.
However, another Law student Peter Daka described the excitement as a feeling of the real emancipation from the colonial yoke.
“What the President has done is to tell the world that much as we can be poor, we are not going to tolerate insubordination of any kind from multinational companies. Bingu has brought back our pride as Malawians,” said Daka.
Meanwhile, the two main opposition political parties, MCP and UDF have reserved their comments on the deportation. MCP President John Tembo is on record to have said deportation of tobacco buyers was not the solution to the current low tobacco prices. An effort to speak to the MCP leader proved futile as his phone went unanswered. But an MCP insider told Nyasa Times that his party would make its stand known on the deportation soon.
A Lilongwe based political analyst however, doubted if MCP would issue contrary views following the public approval of the deportation.
“Politics is about mass popularity and you wouldn’t go against that. If MCP says they will make a statement, I don’t think it would be to the contrary. The best they can do is to remain silent like their UDF counterparts”, he said.
Tobacco fetches over 75 percent of Malawi’s foreign exchange earnings. Over 80 percent of Malawians are directly or indirectly employed by the tobacco industry, which contributes up to 30 percent of the country’s GDP and at least 23 percent of all tax collections.
Labels: BINGU WA MUTHARIKA, GROUP 4, LAND REFORM, NATIONALISATION, NEOCOLONIALISM, NEOLIBERALISM, TOBACCO, TRADE UNIONS, UNIONS
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Kaleya Smallholders workers protest over 80% salary reduction
Written by Henry Chibulu in Mazabuka
Sunday, May 31, 2009 11:28:06 PM
OVER 200 unionised workers at Kaleya Smallholders in Mazabuka yesterday protested against the
reduction of their monthly salaries by 80 per cent under the new collective agreement signed between management and the union.
National Union of Plantation Workers president, Kalilamukwenda Mudenda yesterday said the protest by the workers was justified considering the fact that management had decided to increase its salaries by 15 per cent.
He said unionised workers who previously received K 1.5 million were now getting K338, 000 while those that received K 478,000 were now getting K 260,000.
Mudenda, who has described the move taken by management as an act of savage capitalism which focuses on maximising profits and reducing on expenses, warned management that the move would affect production as workers had vowed not to resume work until their grievances were addressed.
He said the affected workers, who were seasonal, had vowed not to receive the new salaries which were approved by the Zambia Federation for Employees Association (ZFEA), an association which negotiates for farm workers.
Mudenda said management at Kaleya Smallholders Company (KASCO) would be held responsible for the industrial unrest that had rocked the company because of selfishness.
Mudenda said Kaleya Smallholders Company was a viable company which was making huge profits, adding that it did not make sense for a viable company to reduce wages for its employees.
He criticised management for refusing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with his union on the need to safeguard the existing conditions of services that were being enjoyed by staff that were not provided for by ZFEA as directed by the ministry of labour.
Meanwhile, Mudenda disclosed that the workers had applied for a police permit to hold a peaceful demonstration against the reduced salaries by KASCO management.
Efforts by ZANIS to get a comment from company general manager, Solomon Njovu, failed as security personnel barred the press from entering the company offices.
Labels: KALILAMUKWENDA MUDENDA, LABOUR, UNIONS, ZFEA
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C/belt teachers threaten to stop enrolling cops
Written by Zumani Katasefa in Kitwe
Tuesday, December 09, 2008 12:01:53 AM
TEACHERS affiliated to the Secondary Schools Teachers Union of Zambia (SESTUZ) on the Copperbelt have threatened to stop enrolling police officers wanting to upgrade their school certificates following police’s alleged intimidation of some union district leaders.
In a press a statement issued yesterday, SESTUZ Copperbelt Province secretary Osward Matandiko said the union was not happy with the move by police to disallow SESTUZ members from holding a general meeting a few weeks ago.
“Mr Mutentwa (Copperbelt police commanding officer) should know that teachers do not deal with road blocks or criminals but we handle the future of this country. Therefore, a platform at which our members want to air their grievances should be readily available. The police command should respect our teachers especially that we receive a lot of police officers in these schools who want to upgrade their General Certificate of Education (GCE). If this kind of situation continues, we will tell our members to stop enrolling these officers and ask them to go to their force headquarters,” stated Matandiko.
Matandiko further stated that there was gross misunderstanding of the dictates of the public order act by police.
“The Act states that the police should just be notified. It does not state that you should plead for the permit until when police decide to give it to you. Police command in Kitwe will be held responsible for any action that the teachers will take because they are already frustrated,” said Matandiko.
Last week police in Kitwe stopped teachers from holding a general meeting at which they were scheduled to discuss among other things, the fixed band housing allowance, the current housing allowance and the 10 per cent owner occupier housing allowance on grounds that they had not obtained a police permit for the meeting to take off.
Labels: COPPERBELT PROVINCE, POLICE CORRUPTION, SESTUZ, UNIONS
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Trade unions unsettle Government
By Times Reporter
GOVERNMENT is dismayed by the proliferation of trade unions, which it says poses a serious challenge to employers and the State. Labour and Social Services Minister Ronald Mukuma said in Lusaka yesterday that the proliferation of unions had led to complaints from employers that they were spending too much time and money bargaining with different unions in the same establishment. “In some cases, there are frictions among the unions in one industry which works against the interest of the workers,” he said. He said this when he officiated at the tripartite consultative labour council meeting in Lusaka yesterday.
Mr Mukuma said the proliferation of trade unions was not in conformity with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) principle of dealing with the most representative body. His ministry had issued directives to employers to engage in collective bargaining only with the most representative unions in their sectors to foster national development. He said trade unions should ensure they elected union representatives whose area of operations was directly related to the aspirations of their union. Mr Mukuma said he was saddened by the failure of some trade unions to submit audited books of accounts to the Labour Commissioner. He directed that the Labour Commissioner should follow up such unions and ensure the law was strictly adhered to.
The consultative meeting was tasked to review labour laws and come up with legislation that would be able to effectively deal with casualisation, labour broking and short-term job contracts. The minister urged participants to deliberate objectively and without advancing partisan issues.
Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) president Danny Musenge said since Zambia was a signatory to many international conventions, it was important it adhered to the requirements of such conventions.
Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Leonard Hikaumba said there was need for employers to stop violating workers’ rights. To this effect, he said the council meeting was important so that it could address most of the issues regarding violations of workers’ rights.
He commended Government for reducing Pay-As-You-Earn and broadening the tax base in this year’s Budget. “At least an effort was made. We are not saying we are satisfied with the move but it’s a move we have recognised. Our appeal is that the burden should be taken off the workers,” Mr Hikaumba said. Mr Hikaumba said the union was still concerned about the conditions of service for Government workers who had sacrificed a lot during the time that the country was making strides to reach the Highly Indebted Poor Countries’ (HIPC) completion point. The workers were further subjected to a wage freeze in the years 1998 and 2004. Mr Hikaumba said time was now ripe for the workers to be awarded improved conditions of service. And the Zambia United Local Authorities Workers Union (ZULAWU) has called on the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to speed up arrangements for the tripartite meeting with the Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) to address conditions of service for employees in local authorities.
ZULAWU deputy general secretary Amon Daka said following the directive by Local Government and Housing Minister Syliva Masebo to the union and LGAZ to prepare for the meeting, the two parties were ready. Mr Daka said in an interview in Ndola yesterday that ZULAWU had already made submissions to the Government.
Labels: UNIONS
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