By SYLVESTER MWALE –

MORE than 2,000 workers at one of Zambia’s top tobacco merchants, Zambia Leaf (Zamleaf), will be jobless as the company prepares to close after operating in the country for eight years.
Zamleaf management has decided to wind up business on account of unsustainable business in tobacco, a leading cash crop.
The company has a footprint in Southern, Eastern, Central and Lusaka provinces.
The Government has already stepped in to push the company to rescind its decision and help avert the projected job losses, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Given Lubinda said.
The company has notified the Government through the Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) of its intention to close.
Apart from the looming job losses, hundreds of farmers in the provinces where Zamleaf traded would struggle to find market for their tobacco, once it closed.
Mr Lubinda and TBZ Board secretary Samson Muyembe confirmed the pending closure in separate interviews in Lusaka yesterday.
Mr Lubinda said the Government was currently awaiting a feedback after holding an emergency meeting upon receiving the news.
Mr Lubinda urged Zamleaf management to engage in dialogue with the Government to find a solution to the problem.
“Yes they have indicated that they want to pack and leave but you should find out from them as to why they want to leave,” Mr Lubinda said.
“If they are facing any challenges in their operations, have they come to Government to inform us, or has the Government refused to listen to them after presenting their challenges?”
Mr Lubinda said the tobacco company could take a leaf from the mines which successfully engaged the Government on taxes when it became apparent that the mines experienced operational difficulties.
Company managing director Will Ross refused to comment on the pending closure, referring all queries to TBZ.
“This is a sensitive period for the company and I am afraid I have no comment for now, more so that I am just an employee of the company, may be try TBZ,” Mr Ross said.
On the other hand, Mr Muyembe said that TBZ had engaged management at the company to find a solution as it would be a disaster for tobacco farmers if the closure took place.
Sources in the company say Zamleaf is in its final year and has since started winding up.
“By March next year, the company will have closed and it means that there will be no buying or tobacco schemes from Zamleaf next year unless something special happens,” a source said.
The company has been the second largest tobacco trader in Zambia after Alliance One and has been instrumental in assisting tobacco farmers with out-grower schemes.