Govt has strike agreement with Lumwana -Scott

Aerial view of Lumwana Mine

Lumwana Mine of Solwezi District in Northwestern Province has been allowed to submit mining tax proposal to government to justify what level of mineral royal tax should be applicable to it.

This follows an agreement that government and Lumwana have strike.
Acting president Guy Scott has disclosed that the agreement has been made in order that the Mine, which has been in opposition to the 2015 mining tax regime without offering proposals, can remain operational.

In a statement dated 31st December 2014 Dr. Scott has also told Qfm News that government will not act unilaterally on important and sensitive matters such as the retirement age.

Dr. Scott states that the Patriotic Front government has listened to the views being expressed by the unions and other stakeholders regarding the issue of the retirement age.

He says to this effect consultations are in progress in order to reach consensus.

The Acting President also notes that the position of government on the Wage freeze imposed on the civil service is a matter that is still between the parties to the collective bargaining process which are government representatives and public sector unions.

Guy Scott

He says so far some public sector unions such as those in the local authority have already had their conditions of service reviewed and that for others the process is ongoing and in progress.

On the issue of the dismissal of nurses, Dr. Scott has reiterated government’s position of not tolerating indiscipline in the public service.

Dr. Scott however notes that for the fact that his government is a listening government it made the decision a long time to review the issue of dismissed nurses on a case by case basis.

He says so far 317 nurses that appealed earlier have already been re-engaged while the letters of re-engagement for the remaining ones have also been processed.

And Dr. Scott has invited the private sector players to set up more businesses country wide with the view of employing more citizens owing to the fact that access to the country’s market for products has been made easier because of improved road network.

He says the heavy investment that government has made in the road sector development has opened up the country to both rural and urban investment opportunities.