MUZ bemoans low salary hike offers

Tue, 30 Jan 2018 13:00:50 +0000

By ROGERS KALERO

THE Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) is disappointed that most mining companies are resisting to give salary increments of beyond 10 per cent despite the high copper prices on the World market.

MUZ General Secretary Joseph Chewe said it was disappointing that despite the high copper prices on the World Market, most mining companies were resisting to give better and reasonable salary increments to the hard working miners.

The MUZ Chief said during a press briefing held at the weekend at MUZ headquarters at Katilungu House in Kitwe that the union had concluded salary negotiations with the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC), Orica Mining, Chibuluma Mining Company, Chambishi metals and a contracting company in Southern Province called Sunprest.

He said CEC, Orica and Sunprest had awarded their workers with a 10 per cent salary increment respectively, while Chambishi metals had awarded its workers with a 9 per cent salary increment.

He said the union was not impressed with the percentages which the mining companies were giving to their workers because it believed that they could do better to motivate their workers.

“Salary negotiations start at different times with different companies and end at different times. So I can say that we are still negotiating with Mopani Copper  Mines (MCM) and Non-Ferrous Mining Company of Africa (NFCA), but we are yet to start with Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Lubambe Mine.

“We have concluded negotiations with Chibuluma Mine, CEC, Sunprest and Chambishi Metals. CEC, Orica and Sunprest have awarded their workers with a 10 per cent increment respectively, while Chambishi Metals has awarded its workers with a 9 per cent salary increment.

“So, as a union, we are disappointed that most mining companies are resisting to give salary increments of beyond 10 per cent despite the high copper prices at the World market. When the price of copper was low, there were quick to retrench the workers, but with a good copper price, they are resisting to give better and reasonable salary increments to the hard working miners,” Mr Chewe said.

Mr Chewe said investors in the mining industry should realise that better and reasonable salaries would motivate the workers to work hard and increase production.

He said he was hoping that the other companies which the union was still negotiating with, would give their workers better and reasonable salary increments to commensurate with the good copper prices.

“Bargaining is a process and so, we are seeking the support of our members as we continue to negotiate for better salaries. We will continue to try our best in our negotiations.

“However, mining companies should realise that a worker who gets a better salary would be motivated to put in his or her best. So mining companies should award better salaries which would commensurate with high copper prices,” he said.