A miner captured at work without gloves, face masks and other proper protective clothing
* There are challenges to personal protective equipment. Most of the miners we met did not have proper gumboots, gloves and masks to protect them from coal dust, which can cause tuberculosis.
* Some are sharing gumboots which is unacceptable. We also discovered that they do not provide for resting time
By Manasse Nyirenda, MANA
On a tour Kaziwiziwi Coal Mine in Rumphi District to assess working conditions for miners yesterday, May 20, Minister of Labour, Peter Dimba discovered some working violations and asked management to urgently address.
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He said while the mine is doing well in other areas, there were some worrying findings that need to be addressed urgently at the mine: “There are challenges to personal protective equipment (PPEs),” he said.
“Most of the miners we met did not have proper gumboots, gloves and masks to protect them from coal dust, which can cause tuberculosis — some are sharing gumboots, which is unacceptable.
“We also discovered that they do not provide for resting time. The law provides for one hour of resting time — they do not have that here. It’s unfortunate — mining is labour-intensive and workers need a break to rest.”
He further said the Ministry’s assessment officers will be following up with the mine to ensure that the identified flaws are addressed — including fair wages and ensuring that there are proper structures in place for workers claiming compensation after getting injured on duty for the 270 employees at Kaziwiziwi Coal Mine.
Minister Peter Dimba
He added that the basic pay of K112,000 for many of the miners is too low and needs to be addressed urgently — emphasising that mining is a lucrative industry which earns investors in the sector huge profits, and “it is only fair for workers to have a fair share of the profits to which they contribute so much to be realised”.
Acting manager for the mine, Befos Chakaka Nyirenda assured that the company will look into the issues the Minister identified and find ways of addressing them, saying: “We have been struggling recently because there is currently water under section 20 of the mine.
“We have not been operating since November last year and this has affected revenue flow. There is little money coming in, however, we will address the PPE issue within the next two weeks to ensure that our workers are protected.
“On compensation, there have been some delays in processing paperwork for them, but once that is done by the Labour Office, compensation will be paid,” Nyirenda said.
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After the visit at the mine, Minister Dimba toured Livingstonia and Lura technical colleges where he promised the people of Rumphi that Lura technical college will be completed and become operational within this year of 2025 in order to empower the youth with vocational skills that make them economically self-reliant.
He said the two colleges are critical to making the youth in the district productive so that they may contribute to the development of the country. “Over K2 billion has been set aside for the completion of various technical colleges in the country, which are at various levels.
“I expect the college to be complete and functional by the end of the year. Skilled youths are the ones who are going to lead in realising the agriculture, tourism and mining initiative to attain MW2063 [national vision].”
Lura technical college
He added that the Ministry will also help Livingstonia Technical College operationalise its wheel alignment equipment the Government invested there to enable them to raise enough funds to maintain the college, which is in a bad state.
He added that Government will also construct a high-end information and communications technology (ICT) centre at the college under Skills for a Vibrant Economy (SAVE) project.
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Senior Chief Mwalweni said the Minister’s visit has given the people of Lura hope that the college will be completed and the youth in his area will be empowered with vocational skills.
Technical Entrepreneurial Vocational and Education Training Authority (TEVETA) Board chairperson, Pyoka Tembo said the Authority will support Government’s efforts to increase access to vocational skills training through increased enrollment among others.—Edited by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
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