By ROGERS KALERO
THREE mine workers unions have actively engaged Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) to ensure that no miner is dismissed following the protests last week over Government’s delay to approve the payment of US$15 million second batch of benefits which they had worked for under Glencore PLC.
The three mine workers unions, engaged MCM management yesterday after receiving information that the giant mining company had taken stern disciplinary action against those who had participated in the protest and that about 16 had been fired.
Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) President Joseph Chewe together with his colleagues from the National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) and United Mineworkers Union of Zambia (UMUZ), said they had a fruitful meeting with MCM management.
Mr Chewe said at a press briefing at Katilungu House in Kitwe yesterday that the MCM management had agreed to extend an amnesty and the matter would be handled case by case.
“I can confirm that we received information that MCM management had decided to take stern disciplinary action against those who participated in the protest over Government’s delay to approve the payment of US$15 million second batch of benefits which they had worked for under Glencore PLC.
“After receiving that information, we decided to meet the MCM management and I can say we had a very fruitful meeting and we hope no one will be fired by the giant mining company,’’ Mr Chewe said.
And NUMAW national treasurer Saul Simujika said the three unions would continue to engage the MCM management to ensure that none of their members was fired for engaging in the protest over delayed accrued benefits.
Mr Simujika advised the miners not to resort to protests whenever they were aggrieved, but to listen to the advice of the unions to avoid unnecessary problems.
