Kafue Steel Plant lays off 200 workers

Kafue Steel Plant has laid off more than 200 workers as a result of increased load shedding which has affected its production.
Speaking when Special Assistant to the President for Project Monitoring and Implementation Lucky Mulusa toured the plant yesterday, Company Technical Executive Director Julius Kaoma says this is from a workforce of 1,000 workers.
He says the company’s production has been reduced from 10,000 to 3,000 tonnes per month.
Dr Kaoma has since urged government to look into the challenge of power which is affecting the steel industry in the country.

And Government has been urged to encourage the use of Zambian produced steel in major infrastructure projects being undertaken.
Kafue Steel Plant Managing Director, Biswajeet Chowdhury says there is need to protect the local steel industry.
He says the company is determined to make a significant contribution to the development of the broader Zambian economy.
And Special Assistant to the President for Project Monitoring and Implementation Lucky Mulusa has assured Kafue Steel that government will ban the importation of steel in order to protect the local industry.
Mr. Mulusa says the Government understands the great challenges the steel industry is currently facing.

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