By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Socialist Party (SP) says the multinational mining companies are not here to develop Zambia or create employment but are here to make profits.
SP Secretary General Cosmas Musumali said the mining companies are not here to be good to Zambia but to generate huge profits.
Speaking during a question and answer session during a press briefing in Kitwe, Dr Musumali said the mines are running and wealth is going out of the country leaving deep holes for the generations to come.
He said they are mining to make a profit hence all tricks are used to maximize profit from sub-contracting so that they do not bear the cost of the work force and benefits that come with that.
“If certain aspect of taxations or charges are raised what they do they have to save cost and first intervention is to lay off workers so they cut cost they don’t even mind shutting the whole mine because they are not just working in Zambia, they are working in several places and will increase production elsewhere while they are shutting the mine here, he said.
Dr Musumali said the mining companies know how to black mail government by shutting down the mine because they know that people will be on the street and when they are angry and everything government will change the policies to accommodate them.
He said they have been in this business for some time and know how to strangle us on the throat and they are doing it very effectively and employ smart lawyers and accountants that help them to do the right calculation.
Dr Musumali said the government is divided, some few in government saying lets earn from our mining and the majority are saying if the mines pull out then what.
“The problem we are facing to an extent risks of mining safety is being compromised in lot of cases and we are not sitting down and reflecting why we are getting all these accidents, can we analyze them properly so that our people are protected,” he said.
He said Zambia is lucking that leadership that would say, this is the policy and direction on mining and let it be minded in the interest of the people.
Dr said that leadership from a socialist government will provide the right policies to follow on mining.
He said a Socialist government will put its foot down and do what is right for the people even with little profit value and wealth would be generated that is the motive.
