Chambeshi Copper Smelter in 10 % pay rise

Chambeshi Copper Smelter has awarded unionized workers a 10 per cent pay rise across the board effective from April 1, 2014.
The company has also put on full time over 1000 workers who were on contract jobs.

The Chinese owned company has further offered a month’s salary pay for two months for each served year for all the workers who might be retired or declared redundant.

This follows a successful collective bargaining process between the company, the Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) and the National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW).

And speaking at the collective agreement signing ceremony held at Lunte Lodge in Kitwe today, NUMAU president James Chansa commended Chambeshi Copper Smelter Management for being understanding during the negotiation process which he said had resulted in a good package for the workers.

Mr Chansa also commended the workers for being patient and staying peaceful during the negotiation process which he said took a bit of time.

He has since appealed to corporate companies in the country to regard unions as co-partners in the running of their companies because unions have a legal right to represent workers.

And CCS Deputy Chief Executive Officer Yu Zhongin thanked the union members for their efforts during the negotiation process.

Mr Zhongin also thanked the workers for their contributions in the operations of the company and their decision not to go on demonstrations during the negotiations.