Mine contractors cry over unfair treatment

THE Mine Suppliers and Contractors Association of Zambia has urged Government to regulate foreign contractors doing business in Zambia.

And the association has petitioned President Edgar Lungu to intervene and protect the local contractors, charging that foreign contractors were getting better deals than the locals.

Mine Suppliers and Contractors Association of Zambia president Augustine Mubanga presented the petition to Copperbelt Minister Japhen Mwakalombe at the Provincial Administration Office in Ndola.

Mr Mubanga said there was urgent need for Government to step in and stop unfair treatment of local contractors.

He suggested that foreign companies should be registered, have 50 percent shareholding and also have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TPIN) to do business in

Zambia.

"Zambians should be given space to do business. There is need to promote innovation and entrepreneurial skills in Zambians and not just the foreigners. We need to put a strong policy and law in monitoring some imports that are coming into the country be cause some are unnecessary," he said.

He said foreigners must partner with locals in business at all costs.

Mr Mubanga also complained that most contract given to locals were short term while the long-terms contracts were mostly awarded to foreigners.

And Mr Mwakalombe said companies discriminating against Zambians risked being sanctioned by Government

Mr Mwakalombe assured the association that Government would engage the mines and other stakeholders to safeguard the interests of the locals.