Mopani miners reportedly get 13% salary raise

The collective bargaining for improved conditions of service between unions and Mopani Copper Mine (MCM) has resulted in management awarding a 13 percent salary increment.

The situation two days ago almost resulted in a confrontation as miners planned to down tools after word went round that management had awarded them a 10 percent increment to unionised workers.

It took Information and Media permanent secretary, Thabo Kawana, to plead with workers through a radio programme in Mufulira for patience.

Speaking during the signing ceremony on Tuesday in Kitwe, Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) president, Joseph Chewe, said after a successful collective bargaining process, management had awarded its unionised employees a 13 percent salary increment.

He said in addition, negotiations had resulted in funeral grant increasing from K3, 000 to K10, 000.

Chewe said the capital investment in Mopani by International Resource Holding (IRH) would result in employment of 441 people in Kitwe and Mufulira where the mining giant operated.

The salary increment would be backdated to January 1, 2024.

Mopani employee relations manager, Justin Chiwama, said despite the process being cumbersome, a decision had been reached to award employees a 13 percent salary increase as he paid tribute to IRH and the government.

Chiwama said : “It is encouraging that the
bargaining process which commenced about four months ago has been concluded.”

He claimed that management had committed to better the conditions of miners adding that it had been a difficult journey given the situation the company was in.

Chiwama declared that management would implement an incentive bonus to boost the morale of miners, thus achieving the desired production.

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