T.B CASES STILL ON THE RISE WITHIN MINING SECTOR DUE TO LOW COMPLIANCE TO SAFETY PROCEDURES BY CHINESE OWNED MINES

The United Mine-Workers Union of Zambia -UMUZ has disclosed that low compliance to Labour laws and safety procedures, mostly by Chinese owned mines has resulted in increased cases of Tuberculosis among mine-workers in Zambia.

Union General Secretary Yosamu Nyirongo has since challenged the government to increase funding to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security toward surveillance, monitoring and enforcement of the law within the mining sector.

Mr. Nyirongo says Tuberculosis cases are still on the rise within the mining sector, especially among companies that prioritize production over the welfare of employees.

He is however categorical that big and well-established firms have an impeccable level of compliance to safety while calling for more vehicles to be availed to labor officers in mining areas to police smaller and Chinese owned mines.