Looming job cuts on the mines a disaster – CSPR
By Staff Reporter
The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) have described the looming job cuts at Mopani Copper Mine (MCM) on the copperbelt as disastrous and a big blow to strides made in reducing poverty levels in the country.
CSPR Executive Director Partrick Nshindano wondered why every time there was a proposal changing the fiscal revenue policy, there was usually some resistance from the mining sector.
ZANIS reports that Nshindano has since advised government to find alternative equity partners that could be engaged to operate the mining sector for the benefit of the Zambian citizenry.
He advised government to own a significant number of shares in the mines in order to protect the interest of the miners.
Nshindano told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that there was need to realign the mining sector and ensure that it makes the correct contributions to the country as its economic mainstay.
He stated that despite it being a difficult decision in the short-term, government should focus on the long-term benefits which secures sustainability and viability to job creation and poverty reduction among households.
The CSPR executive director further called on the mines to pay a fair share of taxes by giving correct information on their revenues.
Nshindano expressed concern that currently, despite mining being the country’s economic earner, the sector is still one of the industries that make a low contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at only about 4% as at 2018.
About 2,100 mine workers are expected to lose jobs following the announcement by Mopani Copper Mines to close its Mindola North and Central shafts in Kitwe.
