By MARTIN MUSUNKA –
FIRST Quantum Minerals – Kansanshi Mining Plc achieved the highest standards of excellence in 2015 to, yet again, merit the Employer of the Year Award, and emerged victorious in four sectors.
During the 2016 Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) Golden Jubilee celebrations on April 1 at Chrismar Hotel in Livingstone, FQM Kansanshi emerged as the overall winner, bagging the Employer of the year mantle with justification.
Kansanshi Mining Plc upstretched the FQM brand higher during the awards ceremony as the mining company was credited for its elaborate policy in Environmental Management, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), staff development and internship and HIV and AIDS.
FQM Kansanshi Mining Plc has excelled in inspiring employees, the Government and the local communities through various interventions that would always substantiate its status as the best employer in Zambia.
The FQM Kansanshi team that was led by Public Relations Manager Godfrey Msiska was radiant with defensible excitement and strolled to greet Labour and Social Security Minister Fackson Shamenda and other dignitaries with downright confidence.
Indeed, the exuberance was reasonable because the ZFE member swept through all the mining sector categories before romping to the overall victory.
FQM – Kansanshi Mining Plc came out number one in environmental management, corporate social responsibility, staff development and internship and HIV and AIDS which were lined up in the mining sector, relegating their Solwezi town-mates Barrick Lumwana Mining Company into second position and Mabiza Resources into third slot.
After being handed the Employer of the Year honour, Msiska declared on behalf of FQM Kansanshi Mining Plc that, for as long as the mining company would continue being in business, they would always support
Government programmes and projects as well as continue with life-changing community chores.
Msiska, who was pleasantly surprised at the accolade, said FQM – Kansanshi Mining Plc has always supported Government programmes and projects through infrastructure development and contributing to social economic activities, and saw no reason why they cannot continue, if they remained in business.
He said FQM viewed the overall prize as a measure of support to the ZFE and stressed that there were no losers and winners, reminding all participants that by rallying behind the federation in such activities, all the members were the winners.
“We are happy that we have won this award but I must state that, there are no winners and losers at this event because the spirit is about taking part and supporting the ZFE. Therefore, by supporting this event, we are all winners.
“Obviously, it is important to state that this recognition clearly demonstrates the fact that we are doing something right and that we are being appreciated. For as long as we are in business, we shall continue supporting Government in diverse areas, as has always been the case,” Msiska said.
The FQM Kansanshi team comprised Msiska himself, CSR Manager Bruce Lewis, Human Resources Manager Wesley Chishimba, Environmental Manager Arnold Malambo, Safety Superintendent Roderick Besa, and Health Projects and Programmes Advisor Gertrude Musunka.
Kansanshi has won the overall ZFE Employer of the Year award in 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2015.
The event was not held in 2012 and 2013.
Other companies that scooped prizes were Airtel, who came out overall winner in the Telecommunications and Information Technology sector, getting prizes in HIV/AIDS, corporate social responsibility, internship and environmental management.
Zambia Sugar Plc wrapped up the Occupational Health and Safety Policy, Staff Development Policy and internship programme to be crowned overall in the agriculture sector.
The overall award in the pensions and insurance sector went to Professional Life Assurance, while ZESCO got the energy sector award with Standard Chartered Bank being the top winners in the banking and finance sector while Global Industries walked away with the overall prize in the manufacturing sector. – Feature courtesy of SUMA SYSTEMS.