Retrenched LCM miners crave for jobs

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 14:51:00 +0000

By VIOLET TEMBO

CONFUSION has characterized the reopening of Baluba mine in Luanshya as protesting employees, mainly those who were retrenched three years ago, are reportedly unhappy with the contraction of another Chinese firm to conduct the exercise.

Quick intervention by Luanshya district commissioner Joel Chibuye prevented the situation from worsening as retrenched miners on Friday stormed and camped at JCHX Mining Limited, a company that has been contracted by China Luanshya Mine (CLM) to conduct the recruitment exercise on its behalf.

The incensed ex-miners threatened to deal with the company officials as they questioned the motive by CLM to bring in a second party to carry out the exercise as it had allegedly no clue on who had worked on the mine before since they were promised that they would be the first ones to be considered once the mine was reopened.

The miners accused the contractor company of secretly conducting interviews against a list of names allegedly submitted by some senior officials from the ruling party. Addressing the job seekers, Mr Chibuye assured them that he would monitor and scrutinize the recruitment exercise. But the angry retrenched miners did not relent and vowed to continue camping at the JCHX offices.

They complained that they had been out of employment for a long time and were in dire need of jobs.

The ex- miners said closure of the mines had subjected them to hardships and some of their children had dropped out of school because they could not afford fees.

“We were forced to resign after being placed on forced leave by our employers because the salaries we were getting was not enough to fend for our families. And the mine owners had no sure word when operations would resume.

“Yes, we got our retrenchment packages but it is all finished. We have heard that some officials have submitted names to the mine contractor to be placed as priority. It is unfortunate and it is our desire to see the recruitment exercise done transparently. We all need jobs and the process can only be fair if jobs are awarded on merit,” they complained.

However, when the Daily Nation reporter contacted JCHX for a comment, the company Human Resources Manager who refused to identify herself referred all queries to CLM management.

Meanwhile, CLM Public Relations Manager Sydney Chileya confirmed to the Daily Nation that the mining company had engaged JCHX contractor to carry out some of the mining prospects at the plant.

Speaking in a telephone interview, Mr Chileya disclosed that it was uncertain at which period when operations at its Baluba mine would resume.

He said a feasibility study was being conducted on operations, geological aspects and engineering and was yet to be concluded.

He said no time frame had been attached to the study hence management was not in position to disclose when mining activities at the plant would commencement.

“We have engaged a number of contractors and JCHX is just one of them. What we do is that, when we engage a contractor, it’s up to them to recruit workers depending on the labor required,” said Mr. Chileya.

In 2015 LCM laid off all of its 1,740 miners at its Baluba mine due to plunging copper prices and power shortages after it halted operations.