George Ampweya unpacks Sinomine Copper Smelter suspending operations and its impact on the workers being retrenched

[PODCAST]

Sinomine Copper Smelter in Tsumeb recently announced that operations will be suspended and the smelter placed under care and maintenance, citing challenging global copper markets and the need to cut costs by up to 40%, this in turn will affect about 650 workers.

But this decision has raised alarm bells, especially as it appears to violate a no-retrenchment condition tied to last year’s merger with Dundee Precious Metals, as set by the Namibia Competition Commission.

Joining us is George Ampweya, general secretary of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia — a key voice pushing back against what the union has called a direct attack on workers’ rights and constitutional protections.