Zambie : KCM Backtracks On Outsourcing Jobs

KONKOLA Copper Mines (KCM) has rescinded its controversial decision to outsource jobs in key operational sections of the company, bringing to an end threats by mine workers’ representatives to demonstrate over the matter.

As one of the steps by the mining firm to show that it means well, KCM has agreed to allow Zambians to apply for the soon-to-be vacant post of company vice-president, human resource.

The decision was reached after a three-hour tripartite meeting involving the Government, KCM management and the two mine unions at the KCM head office in Chingola yesterday.

Briefing the media soon after the meeting, Labour Minister Austin Liato said a consensus had been reached between KCM and the two unions - Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) and its counterpart National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW).

He expressed happiness at the amicable conclusion of the heated debate by the interest groups, which ultimately quelled the demonstrations planned for next Saturday.

Mr Liato, who was accompanied by his deputy Simon Kachimba, Mines Deputy Minister Gabriel Namulambe, Copperbelt Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima and other Government officials, said the contentious issues of outsourcing which were threatening an industrial crisis had been sorted out.

He said KCM would advertise the position of vice-president human resource as opposed to bringing in a foreigner.

KCM was led in the meeting by company chief executive officer Kishore Kumar, who flew into the country for the meeting and left immediately after the talks. Rayford Mbulu and Mundia Sikufele represented MUZ and NUMAW respectively.

Mr Liato said following a protracted meeting, the three parties had reached a sound compromise on the two issues that were on the table.

"First, on outsourcing, which has threatened a number of jobs, it has been agreed that the issue will be stalled and two parties shall engage each other before any decision is made.

"Then secondly, on the vice-president human resource, who is about to retire, it has been concluded that the position will be advertised even in the local Press for Zambians to also apply instead of just bringing in personnel from outside the country," he said.

Mr Liato said with the consensus to stall the outsourcing scheme and the agreement by KCM management to advertise the job of vice-president for human resource, the misunderstandings had now been resolved.

And Mr Mbulu said he was happy that the meeting had achieved its objective and that consensus had been reached during the meeting.

He said the planned demonstrations were being called off.

Mr Mbulu said some milestone agreements had been made during the meeting and that in the future, KCM management and the unions would engage each other as partners before taking any decision affecting the workers.

Shamaoma Musonda and Moffat Chazingwa

25 August 2010

Source from Times on Zambia