200 miners suspended

 

By ALEX NJOVU

 
MORE than 200 miners at Chambishi Non Ferrous Mining company (NFC) have been suspended for suspected sabotage.
Last week, over 17 miners were rushed to Sinozam Friendship Hospital in Kitwe after they were gassed when an electrical cable got burnt underground.
Both Kalulushi district commissioner Joshua Mutisa and National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) general secretary Goodwell Kaluba confirmed the suspension of the miners in separate interviews yesterday in Kitwe.
“Yes, we have heard that some miners at Chambishi NFC have been suspended but we have not yet received official communication from management. We will meet them tomorrow (today) to get the details over the matter,” Mr Mutisa said.
And Mr Kaluba said almost the entire shift which went underground when the miners were gassed has been suspended for suspected sabotage.
“Almost all the miners who were gassed last week have been suspended. Over 200 miners were yesterday issued with suspension letters for suspected sabotage. What has happened is unfortunate but we will meet management over this issue,” Mr Kaluba said.
He said it is regrettable that the miners have been suspended without following the laid down procedure.
Mr Kaluba wondered why management suspended the miners without involving their union leaders.
“They should have availed us with their findings. They instituted the investigations after the accident last week but they could not get to us to inform us about their findings. We are disappointed that management has decided to suspend our members without involving us,” Mr Kaluba said.
He said the union will today engage management in an effort to find a lasting solution.
Mr Kaluba called on the affected miners and their families to remain calm, saying everything possible would be done to ensure that the suspension letters are withdrawn.
Efforts to get a comment from management proved futile.