The demonstrations of Chingola Chinese women and housewives on Wednesday 29th January, 2019 over the non-payment of their spouses’ salaries by Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) over a long period of time is not only embarrassing but degrading and astonishing of master-slave relationship between the employers and workers.
How does KCM expect such workers to survive in a society which practices market economy? These affected workers have to pay for rentals to their landlords, school fees for their children and other expenses. How can they survive for non-payment of their wages for four, five even nine months? Where is the Ministry of Labour and where is the government? How can workers become slaves in their own country?
As Nchanga Member of Parliament Honorable Chali Chilombo told the protesting women and I quote: “KCM tells government a different story and portrays that everything is superb in Chingola. But on the ground, things are different”
Therefore, is KCM an Investor or Infester? Is the community benefiting from the mine? Do Indians running the giant mine have a heart for Zambians? The answer is a big “NO and NO”.
I have written on this subject on many occasions, but to no avail. Even the statement by Honorable Chilombo was not received in both hands by certain quarters both in government and outside.
Why should some Zambians keep quiet and celebrate when the majority of the population is suffering? Why are we practicing KLEPTOCARCY in Zambia? Why asking for favours from Foreign Investors?
Zambian contractors, investors and suppliers are sidelined by Konkola Copper Mine (KCM). There is more to this than what is being said. Those who receive white or khaki envelopes from KCM, you have destroyed our economy, made a lot of miseries to Zambian workers and our mother Zambia!
S.B. KALABA
POLITICAL ANALYST
