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(Special for CAFS) Zambia warns mining company over worker dismissal

Xinhua, April 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Zambian government on Friday warned Kansanshi Mine, the largest copper mine in Africa, over its decision to lay off workers without consultation.

Kansanshi Mine, 80 percent owned by Canada-based First Quantum Minerals, has said it plans to dismiss 400 workers, with more than 90 have so far been laid off.

Chief government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili said the Zambian government "will not take kindly any mining firm that decides to lay off its workers without consulting relevant stakeholders" and has since asked the mining firm to reinstate the workers.

"All mining companies are aware of the standing order which obliges them to consult the government through the Ministry of Labor before any decision to sack any worker becomes effective," he said in a statement.

It is the government's view that if the mining firm does need to sack its workers, the first group of the dismissed should not be Zambians, he added.

"The government has been flexible on the matter following concerns raised by the mining firms and that the country's mining regime is currently under review," he said. Endi