KCM alarms govt

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is alarmed by reports that Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) is demanding for Grade 12 certificates from the 300 workers the mining company retrenched in 2015 as a condition for re-engagement.

In a statement, Ministry of Labour Public Relations Officer Mathews Mudenda says this demand is not only unfortunate, but unfair on the part of the former workers who diligently served the Mining Company for a long time.

Mr Mudenda says Government, has no problem with the mining firm asking for the Grade 12 certificates from former employees who were earlier engaged using that qualification and if that is the requirement in their job descriptions.

He says mindful of the fact that management can make its own decisions, Government will, however, not accept a situation where this requirement is extended even to employees whose jobs do not require that qualification.

Mr Mudenda states that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, therefore, appeals to management at Mopani to rescind this decision and re-engage the company’s former employees without attaching such harsh and discriminatory conditions.

He says the ministry commends the Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) and the National Ex-Miners and Allied Workers Association of Zambia (NEAWAZ) for taking the initiative to engage MCM management on the matter.

Meanwhile, the ministry says it takes great exception to the alleged proposal by the National Union of Metal workers of South Africa (NUMSA) to launch a campaign to boycott Zambian goods and end South Africa trade with Zambia if the perceived harassment of Post newspaper in liquidation proprietor Fred M’membe and his wife Mutinta continues.

Mr Mudenda says the Ministry finds the position taken by NUMSA through its General Secretary Irvin Jim, not only strange but malicious.

He says the ministry is convinced that the misinformed and ill-conceived position by NUMSA is a failed attempt which was calculated to strain the cordial and warm relations that exist between the sister Republics of Zambia and South Africa.

Mr Mudenda states that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security will soon write to the South African Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to officially complain against NUMSA and Mr. Jim.