It is reported that Nava Barat, the new owners of Maamba Collieries in Southern Province have awarded a 100% salary increment to miners at the coal mine.

Mr Oswell Munyenyembe Mineworkers Union of Zambia president said in an interview in Kitwe on Monday that MUZ and Nava Barat sealed the deal and signed the new collective agreement on Saturday.

He said that “Nava Barat took over last year and before they start full operations, they have awarded miners a 100% salary increment. As you may be aware, workers at Maamba Collieries have not had a salary increment since 2005.”

He added that the lowest paid miner was getting a monthly salary of K848, 000 and this has been adjusted upwards by K875, 000 across the board after negotiations.

Mr Munyenyembe said “This is an increment of more than 100% before they even start selling coal. These are the investors who should be appreciated. Even we will support them.”

He also said the funeral grant for miners has also been adjusted upwards from K500, 000 to K3.5 million.

Mr Munyenyembe is also happy that Nava Barat plans to set up a thermal power plant. He said the first phase of the project will involve the construction of a 300 Kilo Volt line and this will be upped to 600 KV in the second phase.

He added that “They will be using waste coal to feed the thermal power plant.”

(Sourced from www.daily-mail.co.zm)