Govt assures miners over job cuts

Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili

Government has assured mine workers and the nation as a whole that no unnecessary job losses in the mining sector will be entertained.

And Cabinet has assured the nation that mealie meal prices will not increase because all fundamentals in the production line of the staple food remain unchanged.

Briefing journalists in Lusaka today on the outcome of the 21st Cabinet meeting held yesterday at State House, Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili says government will not accept any arm twisting coming from the mining sector.

Mr. Kambwili says mining companies budget for their workers’ salaries in US Dollars and it is shocking that they are using the kwacha’s depreciation as an excuse when it is in fact working to their advantage by spending less on wages.

Mr. Kambwili has also disclosed that a team comprising officials from five government ministries will tomorrow meet the mine owners and trade unions to discuss the best way to handle the current challenges.

He says government is working hard to ensure that an amicable solution is found to avoid any possible job losses.

And the Chief Government Spokesperson says Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda has been directed to meet with the millers to communicate government’s position over their intentions to increase mealie meal prices.

He says there is enough maize on the market and no other factors have changed for the millers to increase the mealie meal prices.

Other items that cabinet considered include; the approval of the Employment Amendment Bill of 2015 to abolish casualization in Zambia, introduction of Gender Equity and Equality Bill of 2015, Appointment of Members of the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) Board, Establishment of the Jubilee Women’s Roadside Markets Program for 2015 – 2018 and reappointment of Directors on the Zambia National Building Society Board of Directors.

Others items discussed include plans to revise the new fees and fines for traffic offenses with a view to restating the status quo.
Government will to this effect soon announce the revised changes.