By ADRIAN MWANZA
OVER 400 workers Konkola Copper Mines (KCM)’s contractors who downed tools demanding to be placed directly under KCM, have called off their strike and gone back to work.
The workers who were demanding to be employed by KCM caused an uproar and were addressed by Chingola Mayor Kang’ombe who assured them that the president would address their needs.
KCM General Manager for Corporate Affairs Shapi Shachinda said that most miners that took part in the strike had returned back for work.
Mr Shachinda however maintained that the strike was illegal and had not swayed management from what was indicated in the press statement. He said that management had not changed their stance over the matter and that the miners were told what to do.
‘’We have a good number back and today we expect the whole 450 striking workers to return for work after taking part in the illegal strike,’’ he said.
Mr Shachinda said the contractor workers who picketed at the Watson Stadium went on a work stoppage without following the right channels of presenting their grievances to their directors.
He said KCM had given clear instructions to their directors and that those that had returned were screened so that they could be readmitted.
Some of the members alleged that Vedanta had pumped in US$1.5 million in KCM but that the money was pocketed by some PF members without improving the services of the workers. They called on President Hakainde Hichilema to come to their aid and ensure that they were incorporated in KCM which had better conditions of service
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