UPND cadres vow to pursue ‘abusive’ investors
SOME UPND cadres on the Copperbelt have vowed to pursue investors, mostly Chinese, that they claim are under paying workers and not providing good working environment.
Losing UPND Kalulushi parliamentary candidate Chikabala Kaleta said Chinese investors especially at NFC Africa Mining Company were in the habit of compromising Labour Commissioners and union leaders, but this time they would not succeed.
“We will pursue all the
Chinese investors to ensure that they start paying their workers reasonable salaries and good working conditions,’’ he warned.
But Patriotic Front (PF) Copperbelt Deputy Media Director Munalula Moola said the UPND government should check the excitement of its cadres or risk losing the very Investors’ confidence it so much campaigned for.
Mr Kaleta, who was in the company of more than 200
NFC Africa Mining Company workers when they staged a work stoppage to demand increased salaries, said Chinese investors must change or they will face the wrath of the UPND.
He said the memorandum issued by the NFC Africa
Mining Company warning it’s striking workers to resume work or face summary dismissal is null and void.
“As you saw when that Labour commissioner addressed the workers, he told them to
resume work because their strike was illegal. Honestly, how do you tell the workers to resume work just like that? No, we will not accept that.
“In fact, we have started with NFC Africa Mining Company and then we will pursue other Chinese companies until they start paying their workers reasonable salaries . Even that memorandum warning the workers to resume work failure to which they will be fired is null and void “Mr Kaleta said
But Mr Moola said President Hakainde Hichilema said his government was a government of laws, but it was disappointing that his cadres were breaking the law out of excitement .
“If what we saw on Tuesday at NFC Africa Mining in Chambeshi mine where the UPND losing candidate was seen together with the striking miners who did not follow the labour laws procedure to strike is true then investors are in for a rude shock under the UPND just like Zambians are yet to realise what has hit them.
“The UPND promised to improve investors’ confidence which they said was at its lowest during the PF Government, but supporting illegal strikes is not any good for any economy. We do not support exploitation of Zambians by investors but if there is a dispute, laid down procedures and laws must be followed,’’ Mr Moola said