Maamba workers get salary arrears - Quoted in the Zambia Daily Mail

MAAMBA Collieries Limited yesterday paid employees five months salary arrears owed to them. The company paid April 2010 salaries and four months salary arrears to 598 employees.

The outstanding two months arrears are expected to be paid by the end of this month, depending on the confirmation by employees of what they are owed.Maamba Collieries chief executive officer Dipesh Dipu said management aims to resume mining operations as soon as possible, and begin afresh with a new vision.

“In order to realise this goal, it has been decided that issues affecting employees’ welfare should be addressed almost immediately before full production resumes.“There are a number of issues management needs to address, and for this reason, it has hired an independent consultancy firm to carry out an audit of employees’ liabilities.

“The payment of salary arrears signifies our commitment to our people and their families, and our community in general. This also signifies Nava Bharat Singapore’s pledge to fulfil its commitment to the Committee of Ministers, ZCCM-IH and the Zambia Development Agency,” he said.

And acting Sinazongwe district commissioner Sokoloku Daka has said Government is happy that Maamba Collieries Limited has a new lease of life.

“Today, employees are being paid their salary arrears. The new owners of the mine have taken it upon themselves to clear the backlog. This means that they have a heart for the workers who have suffered for a long time,” he said.Mr Daka said Government has tried hard to find a solution to the problems at the mine.

“Government found a partner who has bought 65 percent shares and taken over operations of the mine,” he said.

He said Sinazongwe is a drought-prone area and the stability of the mining sector will, therefore, create employment for local people.

“It is sad that our local industry gets coal from outside when we have this resource locally,” he said.Mr Daka also said the company’s intention of setting up a thermal power plant will boost the country’s power generation requirements.

And Mine Workers’ Union of Zambia Maamba branch chairman Evans Moyo thanked Maamba Collieries Limited management for stepping in to clear salary arrears.

“This is a good start, and this gives hope to us employees. I would like to ask management to continue looking into workers’ welfare so that we can together move the company to greater heights,” he said.

He said workers have had difficulties in accessing their salaries for the past two years.Mr Moyo also commended the new investors for retaining local experts.

And MUZ Maamba branch secretary Evans Chikwa said the payment of arrears has come at the right time as it will enable employees to meet their financial obligations.

The new investors also intend to set up a power project which will produce 300 mega watts of power.