Chambeshi Copper Smelter has dismissed all the 500 unionised employees who went on strike recently demanding improved conditions of service.
Copper Smelter Company Secretary, Sun Chuanqi, confirmed the sacking of the Zambian Workers.
And a check by znbc news at the construction site in chambeshi found CCS officials waiting for the workers to collect their dismissal letters.
Kalulushi District Commissioner, Joshua Mutisa regretted the workers action.
However the sacked workers have not been to collect their dismissal letters.
Mr. Mutisa said the workers behaviour deserve the kind of punishment which has been meted on them.
Zambian workers, Tuesday fought with their Chinese colleagues at the smelter and damaged company property.
The workers deserved the sack. It is fine to enage in industrial action. banditry is not industrail action. Let them get jobs from those that were congratulating them and fueling the rioting by turning the event into an anti Chinese campaign.
Never ever bite the finger that feeds you!
Come on people the workers did the right thing? days of slavery are gone? you can never negoitiate with greedy people? we need to support our workers for being so brave and not condem them. “The moment you begin to keep quiet on matters that affect your lives, is the moment you cease to exist.” this is what separates the men from the boys? God hears the cries of his children..? these people are simply asking for a decent wage? and not golf or fuel allowances? minister of labor…minister of mines… what is role if you can serve the people of zambia…ba MP….? can you guys do something right for once?
no.1 i agree with you they deserve the sack and now let them be employed by their supporters this was utmost stupidity, *****ic violence and they deserve their just desserts, now i cant wait to hear what the pundits will say, and how they will conjure up excuses that government is to blame, coz now, it is clear the workers are at fault and their shop steward should explain to government and the public why he/she allowed the workers to riot instead of bargaining collectively and efficiently, mwamona u should follow wise leaders noti ama fontini…..lelo,lelo…… no 25kg for bashi mwansa in chambishi
With unemployment at 50% i thought they would have had the brain capacity to think that they would be replaced just like that. Now let them go to that uneducated president wannabe Sata so he can give them jobs with the wage they where crying for. Thats what you get when you follow politicians who are meant to infuse hatred towards people. They should get their CV’s and apply at Sata’s smelter.
iwe MOB JUSTICE no.3, from recent forums i have come to know u as an outspoken critic of the government, but come on boi, ulenjeba acting with violence was the best solution for these workers? We are going thru an industrial revolution and labour conflicts will always be a presence but violence should not be a prerequisite for solving problems in as much as i could be critical of our government i clearly concede that this is a major political coup for them because its stance undermines the opposition and puts sense back into these rebellious nutters the violence was unwarranted.
Leatest, most of labourers of Chinese origin working in Zambian mines or construction companies are convicts serving jail sentences for various crimes committed. The prisons are so full in China that it possible to work in Africa to serve your sentence, I urge the government to find out the truth about this.Thank you ba Mpombo.
Two wrongs do not make it right. The foreign investors need to pay ‘living wages’and the workers need to resort to proper conflict resolution.
GOVT. HELP US BY ESTABLISHING A “LIVING WAGE.”
All this could have been avoided if govt. or union aproved contracts are signed at the time of employement.
Why are the chinese being allowed to erode and undermine the hard-fought-for right of workers to belong to trade unions?.This is not China and colonial times have long gone.If they are not prepared to respect our traditions they should bugger off home.
JOSHUA MUTISA IS TO BE KNOWN AS JUDAS ESCARIOT FROM NOW ON.
Both sides’re to be blamed.Yes, Chinese are known to be greedy people,but Zambian workers also must be patient and follow proper channels of solving such issues.I guess most of those 500 workers’re grade 9s and 12s crying for millions of kwacha.Be educated first and get a decent job with a good salary.It’s a pity that such events are just turnishing the image of our lovely country at the time when investors are greatly needed.Why turning your demands into ant-China campaign?It’s damn hell fellow Zambians.It’s high time we learnt how to solve such conflicts in harmony.Just let the Govenment handle that matter b4 it’s too late.Chinese also must learn to pay well and appreciate their workers.
Indiciplined workers deserve to be fired, A strike and a riot at two different things. How do workers go on a riot becuase they heard a rumour that the Chines will be leaving for a Holiday, Why did they not ask their representatives to clarify with the Management. What is wrong is wrong. The staff were wrong to beat up the chines and damage company property over rumours. Having said this, not every one should be fired but those who bear the greatest responsibility.
The workers deserve the sack. They are victims of propagada against the Chinise. China, USA, UK are all investing in Zambia. The racists think it is better to work for an American than a Chinise hence the tirades againbst China. The Zambian who have billions to invest the energy sector is crying out for power stations. The governemnet recently engaged IFC to find it investors lwet us see Zambians responding. Lets us walk the talk.
Surely can someone tell me if its worth a negotiation if you start your negotiation before the year ends and you continue with the negotiations after the fiascal year ends. when are you going to conclude the negotiations.
The fact that Chinese people are greedy and like abusing workers is not new. Why did the former southern province minister cry when she saw how poorly dressed the zambian workers were at the coal mine in southern province? Let us not forget easily that MMD came into power partly because the Zambian people REVOLTED against Kaunda. This was and is on record if you check the archives for information in the mid 80’s.
The so called “you cant bite a finger that feeds you” phrase comes from boot lickers who are unable to defend what they stand for and can only survive at the mercy of thier bosses.
Tell me, in which country have u heard that a foreign investor is mis treating the local people? ONLY IN ZAMBIA. The reason is MMD benefits from these investors and cannot raise a finger agaist them.
Wait until you see more of these revolts then you will realise that “a HUNGRY MAN IS AN ANGRY MAN”, people when they are angry can do anything especially if they know something belonging to them is being denied. You cannot squash a person out of existence, there will be a time for a reaction from this person.
When people revolt, its a sign that things are not going on well in the country. Lest we forget,most of the chinese infestors are on record of stealing zedian copper.
Instead of helping the rioters, management has fueled yet another battle, sacking the workers and bootlickers like Mutisa are happy. Does he even think MMD will come to an end soon and he too will be jobless?
Before we condemn the rioters, lets try to go inside their minds and ask, why are they taking such an action? You will realize that the negotiations reached a deadlock.
The MMD are the causers of industrial unrests because they supported this action in 1990 and thats why Kaunda lost popularity because people were so poor and commodities were scarce. Now today they turn and say people should follow the right channels. Which channels are these and how do you make your grievance when you know your boss and not you is protected by the same law you want to follow. Let us be sincere and help those who are fighting a noble task-equal pay for same work or qualification, no eating ama suku pa mutwe
Comeagain..! Our government is composed of men and women that do not care about the welfare of it’s people. The sad part is that it has come to be accepted as the norm for “ba minister and our MPs kulemela in zambia.” I will stand up and say good things about a government that is doing nothing for the poor?
look at the wage difference between our civil servants and members of parliament? we are entitled in to copper my friend, not the elected few? at times diplomacy does not pay? those miners have families to feed? you do not negotiate with greed people? and these people capitalize on the poverty they have created as they know other desparate folks will come to take over?
Number 6..!Our own people do not benefit from the nations wealth..except for the elected few (fortune seekers) zambian politicians? LPM, Chiluba, Kaunda have each been allocated 3.3 billion for housing alone? and yet the poor voter’s welfare has not changed not even a bit? our mps will soon be getting more than 400 million each in gratuity for the first two and half year and yet our farmers have not been paid? do you still label me a government critic or a true zambian with a conscience?
chinese are not greegy people…..how much do u people pay ur houseworkers???uneducated=cheap.. unless ya talented like ma man lebron james!
peeps how do u negotiate with rioters? This anti China campaign advocated by a well paid grown man by Taiwan z goin to cost a lot of blind followers thr source of income.
Nothing wrong with demanding 4 improved conditions of service but u dont use violence as if its yo right.
Tough luck!
I srongly feel its high time the zambian workers stood for what is theres only workers operating in chinese mines are able to tell us what they actually go through , this matter needs gvt intervention .And its sad that zambians are surporting the chinese action our gvt has been sleeping over this issue for sometime despite being well imformed about the inhuman treatment from the chinese so called investers what zambian workers did is just a sign that a new wind (revolution) is blowing within the zambian borders ,sad enough our labour union is quit inactive and poorly managed. GO GO GO zambian miners go !!!!!!
Chabipa guyz
Chabipa guyz imwe kuli bashi ‘mine’
#22 Tell that good meaning “GO GO GO zambian miners go !!!!!!” to their families.Who are still waiting for food,clothes,school fees, etc.I’m not a miner (not any longer) but its these families that all these boils down to.
Lets guide againist “LUMPANISM” in our country, look at zim next door, they claim they own their country, proudly so, but cannot have two meals a day.When lawlessness creeps in a country for wrong reasons, like this unfortunate miners, things start going wrong.Even those advocating this senseless act when in power, as they claim, will not condone this.It has bad effects in the long run.Lets follow the law or right channels to claim or bargain for our own, nothing wrong with that by the way.
#21 Wanzelu walasa mukulu (you’ve hammered the point big man/woman). Violence is not the solution to negotiation!
As for the collection of dismissal letters, have the Chinese also prepared the pension money to get immediately as you get the dismissal letter? If they haven’t then, those rioters should refuse to get the dismissal letters.
As for the government, please make sure that the Chinese investers treat our fellow citizens with the due respect. We are tired of seeing people take the law in their own hands.
# 27 ndine guy wapa easy.Thanx
Sometimes voiolence yeilds better results than pa easy solving. How many strikes have we witnessed since MMD came into power? Ask yourselves why every time there is a strike or riot, the management is ALWAYS RITE. Does it mean the employees at all levels of work in zed have wrong motives toward their bosses? Not at all. Have u ever heard that members of parliament are going on strike? not at all, the reason is that the first thing they do is increase their pockets and when thats done, what ever the common man goes thru is non of their business until the next election.
The 500 or more pipo have families and where do u expect to get money if your employer is denying you good conditions?
# 21, you dont understand physical laws. to every action there is a reaction.
those pipo were reacting to something and its this something you must address, dont just wake up and start shooting the braave 500 who dared to lose jobs even when things pa zed are tough. Its lazy guys like you without brains that want other people to fight for you and then come and part them on their backs if the monies are given to them. wait until u are found in a similar situation. u will c how arrogant managements have become in the MMD era
Am not surprised that Government has decided not to support our fellow workers. Of course its a known fact that utu machoncholi (Chinese bastards) have been made indispensable. In any case when did chuchu’s government ever support the plight of the Zambian worker. Thats why the entire MMD leadership will not be voted into power come 2011. The asses think twalisekelamo. Its not far. You remember FTJ and his crew? The same will happen very soon. As for you chaps supporting the firing of those i think you have no senses. As human beings we must fight for a better standard of living. These are hard times my friends and as such we should get perks that are commensurate to our input.
And the Chinese bastards have been known to overwork and mistreat their workers. Only recently there was a similar problem at Collume in southern Province. You also remember the K35,000 funeral grant that was paid to the family of that well known driver who died in Lusaka late last year. There are several examples of Chinese worker mistreatment. In any case these twits should not be made BIG just because we are in need of investments. We deserve a lot as Zambians. We also have the right to complain when our demands are not met. Just because there is a high level of unemployment in this country does not mean we should be mistreated. NO
Even dogs are treated with more respect, than they would ever respect a zedian, the ching changs are up to no good. But then its just a matter of time, the all hell will break loose one day in Zed, when the people will just have enough of the whole sh*t! ONE DAY, just like the one when then muhindis had to leave their shops and stuff, just one day………
Yeah #33 You are rite. ONEDAY after 2011 HELL gonna break loose……….Chuchu will no longer be there. MMD will no be more. And we will much in each and every chinese shop/company/house demanding better conditions of service. VERY SOON AND I MEAN TOO SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We will cry our lungs out for the government to rescue those poor miners but we all know it wont do anything. What did MMD do when doctors went on strike for a very good cause?? SAKED them!! Shame on us!!
#30 the action was that they beat up there employers and the reaction is that they have been sacked!
#27 Wanzelu, I have take note. keep well and have a great day.
i hope the employers were advised by lawyers before they dismised the employees other wise ……
# 38 continued …. two wrongs can never make a right
I am so glad these workers were fired. There is even no proof that they were mistreated. All we have to go by is prejudice against the Chinise. Every silly allegation against the Chinise goes. Pure racism. That is why Zambians will continue to walk bare feet while continuing to be arrogant. What is there to be proud about Zambia ? ViIt is one of the 20 leat developed countriesin the world. The people act like tey have money of their own to invest. The MMD governmnet has never prevented Zambians from investing. The reason they do not even is that they have no money it all talk. I wlecome Chines , American , UK investment to help us develop capacity.
no. 19 mob justice, i still maintain my position u are a govt critic, and u are at liberty of labeling me whatever. These workers are educated enuff to understand that corporate problems as regards labour laws are not dealt with violence, that is why they joined the trade unions, that is also why they listen to their shop steward, because he/she is the one who bargains on their behalf with the corporate management. Our Trade unions are quite effective in bargaining, it was some of their go slow tactics which helped MMD win elections in 1991 its a pity they now have uneducated board members at the top who are fed from the pockets of frustrated politicians who in turn incite these poor souls
# 30 i did not need all that crap u ‘ve written to see how intellectually insecure u r?
Look @ the violence in Kenya? Which result did it yeild apart 4rm 2 power hungry politicians agreeing to work togather & who accounts 4 the 100 000 deaths?
41. cont… into revolting without even conducting a cost-benefit analysis of their actions. Much as i feel sorry for these guys it was poor judgement from their leaders and inexcusable behaviour from the workers. How our Presidents housing comes into the equation i dont know, but one thing is for sure all these decisions were brought before parliament and your MPs had the chance to veto what did they say? ………. Hear, hear, hear mr speaker!!! those are your MPs!
its hard to believe among the 500 at least 10 couldn’t reason for the others and propose to negotiate!!mob psychology!!even if your grievance is genuine….beat up your boss and you are fired!!there is NO law in the land to protect you. what a group of plonkers who by their actions obviously didn’t have half a brain collectively!!Beat your employers,get fired then blame LPM & MMD ??i do believe there are 5000 ready to take their places!!
My friend in a struggle lives have to be lost? we fought hard for our independence and now we have to fight our greedy politicians and investors. ” Pray for the dead, but fight like hell for the living.” we need to raise aganist our greedy leaders?
#45,anarchy has never solved anything!!!
I dont blame the Chinese. I dont even blame the Northern Rhodesians. I blame KK and his terrorists. What was he thinking chasing the white man who brought him civilization. Without the white man, he would be a savage with 20 wives while raping 5 yr old girls thinking he’ll have more wealth. Lets think about how to bring the white man back so he can rule because its clear the african cant rule. Africans can be good in all other fields be it business, medicine, engineering etc. But africans are not good at politics. How do you chase the White man, the one sent by God himself to rule Northern Rhodesia. I will never be a Zambian but a Northern Rhodesian.
that’s why i have problems believing everything about xtianity, no matter what a black man does everything means crap because the white man was sent by god to rule, its comments like these from No.47 that make me a non believer in the xtian faith, i will never yield to be called from northern rhodesia but ZAMBIA, the EAGLE on my flag bears testament I rise above my problem while when you have problems you kneel before the queen of Great Britain.
Some don’t think or is it that they choose not to think? how can one long to ruled by a white man in black country and black continet this is why when you go to their countries they think that you are peices of shit because when they come to your countries you make them if that they special.one thing everyone has to know is that we only differ coz of our skin colour
Yeah, they have done well these chineses.And now they should fire Mwanawasa, Magande & company for rioting/protesting against poor conditions of service in the mining contracts.
if you were once a prisoner, you will always need to revenge. those chinese pipo most of them are prisoners they have come to finish up their sentences here in zambia.so they have done the same by fering the owner(miners) of the country.
may we don’t know these chinese pipo they were told about the salary increament now they did not want to listen. so they deseve the best. riot. riot. like in the Kaunda’s regime.!!!!!!!!
we all seem to always know what is best untill we ourselves are faced with the problem that seemed so easy to solve when we looked at it from a distance. they had the right to strike my fellow zambians. its is not humane that they should be treated as though they are slaves in their own country. do any of you know how much they get and their conditions of work. they are looked upon lik escum and treated as such by the so called investors who steal and reap our natural resources and thievery prices. violence is never the answer but what is a desperate man to do when his own government sits back and does nothing to help. if the chinease can treat their fellow country men in their own states
like dogs in their coal mines, how badly do you think they will treat us africans. what we need is for the state to act and empower its people. africa has been raped long enough and robbed of its dignity for far too long.
I am suprised at most of the comments aired here!! Suprised that any black african that can read and write, that knows the history of slavery, is aware of the true story of white settlements in countries like Zimbabwe, south Africa, Namibia etc would write such comments. after all these experiences, it would just be reasonable that we africans would guard our continent jealously and do everything to that respect to keep any cunning invaders far off our shores. I am personally with the sacked workers! The Chinese BOSSES; SLAVE MASTERS should not have started any factory there in the first place. Foolish is any african that puts his or her trust in any settler be such a missionary or an bussiness owner,, they are all a bunch of crooks that looks at us as nothing but empty headed monkeys!!