By Michael Kaluba
Three Mineworker Unions have described the year 2023 as difficult for employees due to various factors including fatalities resulting from mining accidents, redundancies and forced leave among others.
The unions, among them, the mineworker’s union of Zambia-MUZ-, the United Mineworkers’ Union of Zambia-UMUZ- and the Nation Union of Miners and Allied Workers-numaw-, are hopeful that 2024 will present fewer challenges, more jobs and a safer working environment in the mines.
In an interview with Phoenix News, NUMAW President Saul Simujika said the situation at both Mopani and Konkola Copper Mines seems to have eased the anxieties of the workers whose jobs were hanging in the balance.
And MUZ President Joseph Chewe has challenged the mines safety department and the respective mine owners, to prioritize safety following fatalities of over 16 this year alone resulting from mine accidents.
Meanwhile, UMUZ General Secretary Yossum Nyirongo says in 2023, some mines offered low increments to salaries and wages for unionized workers in the range of 8 percent.
PHOENIX NEWS