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LAFARGE Cement Abusing Drivers’ Human Rights
Dear Editor,
WE wish to bring to the attention of relevant authorities the abuse contracted drivers are going through at Lafarge Cement Zambia.
Drivers are being persecuted through cameras on the high ways where the company has engaged some people who take pictures of drivers whenever they stop on the highway even just to buy a bag of charcoal. When one is pictured as having stopped to either buy something or even give money to a relative, they are photographed and the picture displayed in the plant and that driver is either blacklisted or suspended from entering the plant.
Already two drivers who were pictured giving money to family members have been banned while another one was banned this week.
Besides this when trucks are packed in their plant awaiting loading drivers are not allowed to knock off and yet they are expected to enter the plant before 18:00 hours even when the firm knows they will not load that same day.
Truck drivers move with their wives in some countries, but at Lafarge one cannot even allow a truck driver’s wife into a stationary truck.
Lafarge products are not inflammable or radioactive and yet they insist that drivers must stay within the company premises even when they are not loading. Now we hear that they want to put cameras in cabins of trucks.
Lafarge is also the only cement plant in southern Africa without showers and cooking facilities and yet they force drivers not to knock off but to spend days without cooking and bathing.
Lafarge also forces drivers to put on their personal protective clothing from outside exposing them to being seen by members of the public as they change attire and yet their members of staff come with their own clothes and change from their offices.
Then drivers are also not allowed to carry lorry mates meaning that the driver has to find money to pay off loaders when they reach their destination or do it alone!
Lafarge also lacks a policy to cater for the disabled because we know of Mr Mazila and Mr Mwanza from Agrofuels and A M Motors, respectively, who were banned from entering the plant on account of their disabilities.
A driver cannot even give a ride to a workmate otherwise the driver risks facing sanctions.
We are asking this listening government to come to our aid and rescue us from this colonial era type of treatment.
DISAPPOINTED and ANGRY CONTRACTED DRIVERS
Posted by Editor
on September 27, 2013. Filed under LATEST NEWS.
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Umupandapwiti
September 27, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Boy you sound like one frustrated driver. Just join a different company if you feel that way. Mind you there a thousand of youths who want that job at Lafarge.
Tribalist
September 27, 2013 at 2:49 pm
Which thousands youths you fool. Even that same youth when he come is going to be happy working in such conditions. When one writes for something to be corrected, lets not start putting jokes, when are you going to be matured kansi. This is a serious matter and you are there bringing jokes.
Isaac
September 27, 2013 at 1:08 pm
Frustrations will rob you the little you’re getting. Because there are other pipo who have completely no where to go in terms of employment so be sensible as much as we demand good working conditions from Lafarge management.
Gaddafi
September 27, 2013 at 1:12 pm
This is serious but rather one sided. If all uv sayd really happens, u better quit .
lorna
September 27, 2013 at 2:19 pm
This is sad. It not about telling somembody to quit but for the employer to put in condicive working environment for the workers. If we all just quit without talking about it then nothing will change people will be joining the company and always quitting. the writer has a valid point and my suggestion is that he/she engages the union representatives at the plant concerning workers working conditions. What do others think?
HH 2016
September 27, 2013 at 2:53 pm
What you are saying is nonsense and full of trash. The Auther is failed Driver.
Tribalist
September 27, 2013 at 2:58 pm
These are the poeple that have leadership qualities. I salute you dear and not those first 2 idiots.
Tribalist
September 27, 2013 at 2:58 pm
These are the poeple that have leadership qualities. I salute you dear and not those first 2 idiots.
EMMY
September 27, 2013 at 2:20 pm
Larfage is simply intensifying its security to minimize theft which you drivers have been engaged in for a long time now. Even state house you are crying to has its own security system and people are not allowed to enter at will because they are PF supporters.
Those who complain about security measures have something they are planning such as stealing cement and diesel from trucks. If you are not happy with larfage security measures, go where they will freely allow you to steal and have sex with your wife/girlfriend in a company vehicle.
Kasenge Richard
September 27, 2013 at 3:14 pm
My friend slowdown yo temper.coz if do,u are sucked.life is like that always.there is none for whom it’s well.secure yo job bro.
ton
September 27, 2013 at 3:18 pm
That is the problem with zambiians! U bow to whites than ur own,complain in there territory if ur voice will b heard,b4 u stat condeming investigate!
Mpombozi
September 27, 2013 at 3:29 pm
It makes a sad reading, but again I am left to wonder as to why the drivers have not approached their company union. Mind you Lafarge is in business hence they take every measure to safeguard their interest. Speak to your representatives.
RICH MAN
September 27, 2013 at 6:22 pm
i as a BLACK ZAMBIAN can never ever allow any of my worker to stop the truck for a personal reason and no company allows a 3rd party person in the vehicle due to insurance purposes, you are a lazy negro and thats the bottom line, only people who run business would understand how important security is? ****** broke people will comments and start accusing…..THINK
papa
September 27, 2013 at 7:07 pm
Lafarge must be heavily punished. Not only drivers are mistreated but even customers. The staff, especially Chembe Kabandama, whatever title he has, are so rude. He runs a one man show in Lafarge. He generates loading schedules only for relatives and Congolese where he has a cut. Pliz, ACC and DEC, try to check out this man. He is so corrupt. His surnodinates, both in Lusaka and Ndola are always mentioning that.
Mpombozi
September 28, 2013 at 9:09 am
This is getting serious mwe. Maybe there is more to it than the tail can hide. Nomba futi ACC cant be dragged in to sort out small issues.
adviser
September 28, 2013 at 10:33 am
It’s only here in zambia were lafarge is treating or abusing poeple like that, lafarge is also there in south africa I didn’t see such things whhich I read in this, so you ll find the one treating poeple like that is your falow z
sugo
September 28, 2013 at 12:40 pm
@ Umupandapwiti
bwana we know that lets change things for the better,because the same person looking 4 employment at larfage will also complain tomorrow .
Mukombe Wamano
September 28, 2013 at 2:48 pm
The problem with Drivers the a scared of security measure because the want to steal sorry companies are becoming clever now. The are sealing all the lop holes just do your work.
adviser
September 29, 2013 at 7:09 am
Papa, thumbs up. This man at Lafarge, called Chembe Kabandama is so cheeky, pompous, u can name it. He answer no phone calls, even his direct land line. He make poor decision. He has dictator tendency. He works things under the carpet. He fingerpoints who to give cement. Can Govt through ACC and DEC come in. We want to know whom he is feeding from. His juniors cant make any decision. He is CEO on his own this man.