• UNITED Party for National Development president Hakainde Hichilema (smiling in the middle) being mobbed by supporters when he arrived for a rally at the Freedom Park in Kitwe yesterday. Picture by MOFFAT CHAZINGWA

By MOFFAT CHAZINGWA and SYLVESTER MWALE –
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has called for a fair deal between mining companies and the Government to protect the interest of Zambian workers.
Mr Hichilema who addressed a rally in Kitwe yesterday said that there was need to realise that Zambians were the country’s greatest asset.
He said that he was going to address the many challenges retired miners were facing on the Copperbelt.
“Government needs to make sure we are getting a fair deal when we sign any mining contract. If we are not sure we are getting enough in return, in terms of revenues, jobs and investment then we don’t make the deal – simple as that,” he said.
“We must remember that our people are our greatest asset, and ensure our youths and workers are provided with training opportunities that will enable them to go on and take up top jobs at these mines, for example in technical and management roles.”
He noted that Copperbelt Province was host to so much wealth, yet even some of those who worked in the mining sector were not benefitting properly and faced tough daily working and living conditions.
He said others could not find employment while health facilities and sanitation services had remained a poor standard for many.
With the Kitwe Council budget slashed by K4.1 million this month, the prospect for an improvement of the situation under the current government does not appear to be on the horizon.
“I know that many of you had high hopes the PF government would defend and protect the rights of employees and labourers on the Copperbelt.
“When you see how the government has treated even its own employees, such as nurses, in the past three years, it is perhaps unsurprising that things haven’t improved for the majority of workers,” he said.
He said the Government needed to provide Zambian businesses on the Copperbelt with more support so that they could benefit from the mining business by being suppliers and contractors.
Mr Hakainde was joined in Kitwe by one of his vice Canisius Banda Alliance for Development and president Charles Milupi, Lunte MMD Member of Parliament Felix Mutati, former first lady Maurean Mwanawasa and former finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane