President Hakainde Hichilema has vowed that no Zambian worker will be declared redundant as the country attracts new investments.
Addressing the Press this morning, the Head of State said Government is commitment to safeguarding jobs and expanding employment opportunities.
The President cited Mopani Copper mines as an example in creating opportunities for citizens through the 2,700 jobs offered to the locals.
President Hichilema recalled how he shut out an investor for not being aligned with his vision of employment creation and economic empowerment when the said investor proposed on declaring 5,000 workers redundant on the Copperbelt Province.
“I remember one day my colleagues in Cabinet were not happy with me. I said, “This bid, don’t talk to me about it. Why is it that they want to declare 5,000 workers redundant? We are here to employ, to create employment. How can a bidder tell me they will remove 5,000 citizens from the mines when people have been waiting for a revival?” I said, “Ouch”. There was a debate, then I ruled: “This debate is over. This bid is out.” If they want to send 5,000 Zambians home, we cannot accept that,” he said.
“And then an investor came who promised no redundancies; instead, an additional 2,000 jobs, and even more people employed. That is what we are doing for the people, even for those who may not realise that 2,000 jobs, multiplied by a family of eight, multiplied by another factor of ten for the extended family, means thousands more people benefiting.”
President Hichilema underscored that employment preservation and creation are non-negotiable, as Government’s commitment under pillar number one of the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) is to expand employment opportunities and grow the economy.
