Senior Citizen Joe Kamutumwa challenges Mopani Copper Mines to reverse a decision to fire 11, 000 workers
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By Luswepo Mutepuka
A LUSAKA resident Joe Kamutumwa has challenged Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) to provide evidence based statistics to the Zambian citizens that it is making loses for it to fire over 11, 000 workers on the Copperbelt.
And a worried Mr. Kamutumwa has doubted if the Mopani Copper Mine has followed the laid down procedures warranting the mining fir to fire over 11, 000 workers, a rushed development that will worsen unemployment levels in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province.
Mr. Kamutumwa said in an interview in Lusaka that Zambians will not accept such maneuvers by the mining company to lay off workers as they were arrived at without exhausting discussions with Mines and Minerals Minister Richard Musukwa.
![](http://rainbownewszambia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bristish-High-Commissioner-to-Zambia-Nicholas-Woolley-with-Mines-Minister-Richard-Musukwa.jpg)
British High Commissioner to Zambia Nicholas Woolley with Mines Minister Richard Musukwa
![](http://rainbownewszambia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/President-Edgar-Lungu-greets-Mr-Richard-Musukwa-Minister-of-Mines-and-Minerals-Development-during-the-Swearing-at-State-house5398.jpg)
President Edgar Lungu greets Mr Richard Musukwa Minister of Mines and Minerals Development during the Swearing at State house -Pictures by Eddie Mwanaleza
He has wondered why the company is behaving as if the Zambian government has failed to contain the virus stressing that the covid 19 measures government has put in place is an indication that they are on top of things.
According to Mr. Kamutumwa once the 11, 000 workers are laid off untold misery will deepen as 100, 000 families depend on the affected workers.
Mr. Kamutumwa says it is sad that at a time when the country is grappling with swelling high unemployment, high income inequality and high poverty, there is a company determined to fire workers ostensibly on account of Coronavirus incidence.
The Lusaka Senior Citizen has backed stakeholder’s fighting to protect the employment rights of the 11, 000 Miners.
![](http://rainbownewszambia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/A-file-phot-of-a-worker-stacking-copper-plates-at-a-plant-in-Zambias-copper-.jpg)
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