UNIONS BASHED FOR WELCOMING VEDANTA

CALLSby unions suggesting that they have no problem with Vedanta coming back are a betrayal and disappointing because they were in the forefront in kicking out that company, mining expert Edward Simukonda has said.

Mr Simukonda said unions accepting Vedanta back was like the unions going back to their vomit which was not supposed to be the case.

He said that the company already proved that it does not mean well for Zambia and one would wonder what has attracted the unions to welcome them back.

“I wonder why everybody is excited about them when they are the biggest mistake we are about to make,” he said.

Mr Simukonda was reacting to unions making a u-turn on Vedanta after the company made tantalizing offers of 20 percent salary increment to all workers and an additional K2,500 once off payment.

The National Union of Mine and Allied Workers (NUMAW) has said it has no problem with Vedanta coming back to take over operations at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) as long as it fulfills its obligations.

NUMAW president James Chansa said KCM was in a bad state therefore there was need to expedite the engagement of the investor for the mine to survive.

Mr Chansa said it was a sad situation that the mining giant was not performing according to the people’s expectations.

He said even though the unions fought Vedanta in the recent past, the firm can be given a chance to bring sanity to the mine.

“Looking at the pledge, it will not be a bad idea to see them back. We have no permanent friend and enemy in life, as long as the investor do what is the best for workers. For us as unions we have workers to protect so we will continue to side with workers,” Mr Chansa said.