Former Gécamines Workers Appeal to President Tshisekedi Amid Kamoto Copper Crisis
Former Gécamines workers have sent an urgent plea to President Félix Tshisekedi regarding the dire situation faced by those who defected to work at Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), a subsidiary of the Glencore group.
These workers, who have not yet received their final payments, have taken drastic action by barricading all entrances to the KCC facility in protest.
The protest follows a previous sit-in that lasted over 12 weeks in front of KCC’s offices in Lusanga. During that time, several protesters reportedly died, others were hospitalized, and one individual suffered a mental breakdown, according to sources.
The workers’ primary demand is the payment of their overdue salaries. They have vowed to maintain the blockade until they receive justice.
This standoff is severely impacting KCC’s operations, which produce over 250,000 tonnes of copper and significant quantities of cobalt. The financial losses are substantial, affecting not only the company and its employees but also the Congolese government.
The ongoing crisis underscores the challenges faced by former Gécamines workers and highlights the urgent need for a swift resolution to prevent further economic and employment disruptions in the region.
