Mon, 10 Jul 2017 11:03:18 +0000
By CHINTU MALAMBO
A FORMER employee of Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines has sued in the Lusaka High Court, demanding repatriation benefits of K500,000 from the mining company.
According to a statement of claims filed in the High Court principal registry, Mr Ackim Chisanga stated that he worked for the mining company for 26 years before retiring on 13th July, 1993, under Nkana Division.
Mr Chisanga charged that upon retirement, he was underpaid his retirement package and that he was only paid K478 which did not include repatriation benefits.
“The plaintiff upon retirement was underpaid his retirement package and was only paid K478 as pension which did not include the K400,000 as repatriation benefit which he is entitled to,” he submitted.
Mr Chisanga claimed that he was sick for more than 10 years when he relocated to the village and only recovered in 2012.
He said that he had been seeking for justice from the time he recovered from his illness and that he visited several government institutions and non-governmental organisations to help him recover what was rightfully his.
“The plaintiff in the quest of justice then visited several government institutions, Law Association of Zambia, Legal Aid and other NGOs for help to collect what was due to him but to no avail,” he said.
Mr Chisanga submitted that the defendant had not paid his repatriation benefit and pension underpayment. He said despite his numerous efforts and demands of payment the defendant has failed, neglected or ignored to pay.
Mr Chisanga wants the court to grant him exemplary damages, an order for payment of his repatriation benefit of K500,000 as pension underpayment, an order for the payment of the sum of K400,00 as repatriation fee, interest, costs and any other relief that the court may deem fit.
