Plans to lay off 77 workers at Kansanshi shocks Open Society

OSF Executive Director, Sunday Chanda, has told QFM News that it is sad that 50 years after independence some mining companies prefer to import labour at the expense of local labour.

Mr. Chanda says the move by Kansanshi Mine to lay off Zambian workers in preference for foreign nationals, mostly Chinese and those from the Philippines should be condemned.

He says there is need for government to thoroughly investigate the reports and protect the Zambian workers.

Mr Chanda adds that government should also investigate the number of expatriates at FQM Smelter Project to assess whether the jobs they perform cannot be undertaken by Zambians.

He says Zambia cannot continue to be creating jobs for foreign nationals at the expense of the unemployed Zambians.

Mr. Chanda further states that Government’s policy should be to ensure that no single Zambian is laid off in preference of a foreigner.