It is reported that more than 200 unionized workers at Albidon nickel mine in Zambia, Africa’s leading copper producer received 12% wage increase ending protracted differences that threatened metal production at the country’s sole producer.
The wage rise, backdated to January 1st 2011 includes increased funeral grant for employees by 100% while funeral grants involving dependants has been increased by 300%. Previously, employees were paid ZMK 2 million but the amount has been revised to ZMK 4 million.
According to the agreement signed and concluded on June 1st 2011 workers’ dependents were previously entitled to ZMK 1 million but will now receive K4 million. Their spouses will also be entitled to get from the company ZMK 4 million as funeral grant. Housing allowances were upped and will be paid at 30% of basic pay. Underground allowances will be paid to junior employees at 10% of their monthly basic salary.
Workers will further be entitled to a repatriation fee of ZMK 5 million will be paid to workers staying within a radius of 70 kilometers to 200 kilometers while those that stay beyond 200 kilometers will be entitled to ZMK 7 million repatriation fee. Full Sunday bonus will not be paid to an employee who works on a Sunday which falls within his or her six day week but such an employee will only qualify for a seventh day payment.
Shift differential will be entitled to an employee at 0.9% monthly basic salary for each full shift worked. The signing of the collective agreement brought to an end several weeks of labour disputes with the workers who recently downed tools over poor wages and other conditions of service. Munali nickel mine workers union branch vice chairperson, Chama Chibwe represented the workers during the signing of the agreement with Albidon mine assistant general manager Anthony Weber signing on behalf of management.
Mr Joseph Chewe workers general treasurer of mine and Mr Charles Muchimba director of research signed on behalf of the union. After the signing of the agreement, Mr Weber said that Albidon mine remains committed to addressing the plight of the workers with a call to the unionized staff to desist from engaging in illegal strikes or risk being disciplined or having their allowances forfeited.
Mr Weber regretted that the improvement of salaries and other conditions of services took long partly because of misunderstanding between the union and management.
Mr Chewe said that Albidon mine management improving the conditions of service for its workers with a pledge to continue supporting management in order to foster industrial harmony.
(Filed by Mr Kapembwa Sinkamba SteelGuru Correspondent Zambia)
