The Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) has called on mining companies to ensure that workers employed by contractors are allowed to belong to a union of their choice.
MUZ President Joseph Chewe says allowing workers to belong to a union of their choice will guarantee the workers of their benefits and MUZ wants to see a workforce that is well represented when addressing their grievances.
Mr. Chewe says contractors should stop engaging workers on casual basis and he reveals that the union has been calling for permanent and pensionable jobs to guarantee workers of their benefits.
His comment follows recent revelations that some contractors at First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Trident Limited have barred their workers from joining a union of their choice and are employing workers on casual basis.
Mr. Chewe has further urged contractors to be compliant by remitting monthly statutory obligations to the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) and National Health Insurance Management Agency (NHIMA) among others.
