GOVERNMENT ORDERS STRIKING MINING WORKERS TO GO BACK FOR WORK

Labour Deputy Minister, Rayford Mbulu has instructed all unionised workers who had downed tools at the Non-Ferrous Mining Company of Africa NFCA in Chambishi to resume normal duties immediately.

This is because the company and the government have resolved their critical concerns including the basic pay for the miners.

Mr. Mbulu says management at NFCA has agreed to pay K2million as basic salary for the lowest paid worker.

He says no worker will also be victimized for protesting to demand improved conditions of service.

He says the workers were not on strike but merely protesting against alleged prolonged oppression.

But the Deputy Minister has wondered why the company has suddenly agreed to increase salaries for its workers when all along NFCA indicated that it was not able.

But NFCA Corporate Affairs Manager Nelson Jilowa says management has no comment on the matter at the moment.

When asked when the management would respond, Mr. Jilowa who attended the Deputy Minister’s press briefing with other NFCA Senior officials told ZNBC News that comment has been reserved.

Meanwhile Mr. Mbulu has directed Scaw Limited in Kitwe to immediately stop casualisation of labour.

He has also instructed Murray and Roberts of Chingola to harmonise salaries for Zambians and expatriates.

He also warned Chambeshi Metals to normalise salaries which were reportedly reduced by forty per cent during the 2008 global recession.

Mr. Mbulu says the Patriotic Front PF government is eager to create an enabling environment for investment.