The Mine-Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) has established K10,000 as the minimum salary benchmark for the lowest-paid workers in anticipation of the upcoming collective bargaining process for 2025. Union President Joseph Chewe announced that proposals will focus on aligning miners’ salaries with the basic needs basket, which is estimated at nearly K10,000 for a family of five.
Mr. Chewe explained that salary increase percentages will be determined based on how much individual mines pay their workers below the K10,000 threshold. This initiative aims to ensure that the lowest-paid employees in the mining sector receive compensation that meets the Jesuit Center for Theological Reflections (JCTR) Basic Needs Basket standards.
Chewe expressed confidence that mining companies have the capacity to increase salaries to this level, emphasizing the union's commitment to negotiating favorable working conditions for miners.
Stay updated for more information on the collective bargaining process and its impact on the mining workforce in Zambia.