KCM workers protest
By ALEX NJOVUScores of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) unionised workers yesterday staged a protest against alleged poor conditions of services.
A company spokesman said, however, that only a small section of workers at the Nkana Business Unit of Konkola Copper Mines staged an illegal assembly in connection with the just-concluded negotiations.
Acting Copperbelt police chief Danwell Kasonde confirmed the protest in an interview in Kitwe yesterday.
“KCM miners yesterday staged a protest demanding improved conditions of services. Those in the day shift did not work. They started their protest in the morning until late
in the afternoon,” Mr Kasonde said.
He said the miners only dispersed after they were addressed by their union leaders after
14:00 hours.
“We first talked to their union leaders after which they addressed their members. We did not arrest anyone, we were just there to ensure that law and order was maintained,” he said
Mr Kasonde said the workers early refused to disperse until their demands were met but that they complied after they were assured by their leaders that their concerns had been noted.
Union officials who declined to be named said workers were protesting against the 11 per cent salary increase reportedly offered to them by management.
The officials said workers were demanding a salary increase of above 20 per cent across the board.
A company spokesman said in a statement that the assembly was staged even before the workers could be briefed by union representatives on the results of the negotiations.
“KCM and the unions, Mineworkers Union of Zambia and the National Union of Miners and Allied Workers, recently concluded negotiations and had embarked on a series of meetings to brief members.
“At Nkana, some workers decided to jump the gun and protest before hearing the details of the concluded negotiations. The plant was shut down as a precaution,” the statement reads in part.
The spokesman said management and the union were calling on employees to listen to their leaders before taking actions that may not be in the best interest of stakeholders.
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