Labor Disputes Plague Zambia's Copper Mines
Workers at Zambia's Kansanshi copper mine have threatened to strike over allegations of exploitation by labor brokers, according to the National Zambia Miners and Allied Workers Union. The union's general secretary, Albert Mando, stated that the workers are being deducted hefty sums from their salaries, leaving them with meager earnings. The workers are demanding direct employment by the company, First Quantum Minerals Ltd., rather than being employed through labor brokers.
Key Takeaways:
- Workers at Zambia's Kansanshi copper mine are threatening to strike over allegations of exploitation by labor brokers, contracted by First Quantum Minerals Ltd.
- The labor brokers are accused of deducting substantial sums of money from the workers' salaries, leaving them with little earnings.
- Industry sources estimate that Kansanshi employs up to 400 workers through labor brokers.
- Commercial copper production at Kansanshi started in April 2005, surpassing Mopani Copper Mines PLC as the country's second-biggest copper producer.
- The union is demanding that the government intervene to end the practice of labor brokers and ensure that workers are directly employed by the company.
- Union leaders are scheduled to meet with the company's management this week to resolve the standoff, but the workers have vowed not to rest until their grievances are solved.
- This is not the first labor dispute in Zambia's copper mines, as there have been worker disruptions at Konkola, Chambishi, and Luanshaya copper mines since 2005.
Statistics:
- Up to 400 workers are employed by Kansanshi through labor brokers.
- Commercial copper production at Kansanshi started in April 2005.
- Kansanshi expects 2006 copper output at 145,000 metric tons.
- Mopani Copper Mines PLC was previously the country's second-biggest copper producer.
Sources:
- Dow Jones Newswires (March 27, 2006)
- Albert Mando, General Secretary, National Zambia Miners and Allied Workers Union
- First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (FM.T)