MUZ, CHAMBESHI AGREES
TO BETTERS MINERS CONDITIONS.
Anthony Tapa
The Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) and Chambishi Metals
have signed
a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for 2017.
MUZ General Secretary
Joseph Chewe said Mineworkers Union of Zambia has reached consensus with Chambishi
Metals to put all workers who have been on fixed term contracts on permanent
jobs.
Mr. Chewe said the move
was in line with the legislation government passed to ban casualization on jobs
that are of permanent nature.
“We are taking
advantage even in Chambishi metals to put all the workers into permanent
employment and this was accepted after a lengthy discussion. We know that
permanent employment comes with higher cost to the company and we believe as
Mineworkers Union of Zambia in representing workers effectively so as to
alleviate poverty among workers.”
Mr. Chewe said MUZ is
also concerned with the sub-contracting or outsourcing of labour by mining companies
with poor salaries and conditions given to the workers.
“We appeal to
government through the ministry of labour to look into this issue of
casualization as it promotes poverty and social instability in the Copper belt.
“As MUZ we are happy
that we have been able to achieve those levels within three days (three
meetings) and conclude.
It’s not easy but it’s a plus,” Said Mr.
Chewe.
Mr. Chewe has since
urged Chambishi Metals management to implement all the agreed terms in the
newly signed CBA.
“We also urge the
Mining companies to respect the Unions as they represent the workers for they
have a right to bargain.”
and chewe further advised the Chambishi Metals to find local sources of
ore to guarantee the supply of the feed to run the plant.
He said that as a
representative of workers, MUZ was concerned that Chambishi Metals was
currently getting ores from Congo DR to run the plant instead of looking for
local sources.
“Chambishi Metals is
our employer and as workers we are the stakeholders so we believe that the
company can continue looking at the aspect of workers’ welfare for it to
achieve the desired productivity,” says Mr. Chewe.
in the new collective
agreement, Chambishi metals has awarded 9 percent salary increment across the
board to unionized workers and 8 percent one off bonus of annual basic pay with
tax being borne by the employer.
The mining company has
also agreed to convert ninety-eight (98) out of One Hundred and Fifty (150)
employees below 55 years on fixed term contract to permanent or pensionable
employment.
The parties also agreed
to enhance gratuity from 10 percent to 20 percent for employees on fixed term
employment contracts.
MUZ and Chambishi
Metals have further agreed to give general purpose loans of K 20,000 to cater
for employees’ education, building and health requirements among others at 5
percent interest per annum.
This came to light during the signing ceremony
held at Mukwa Lodge in Kitwe on Sunday evening.
Mr. Chewe has however, appealed to the workers
to reciprocate the good gesture from the mining company by being more
productive and efficient in executing their works at a mining firm.
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