Labour Minister gives miners 1 month to deconfinate workers | DRC
“All mining companies that have confined workers to the operating site are granted a one-month moratorium to return to normal operations. During this period, the employers concerned will need to acquire hand-washing kits, thermoflashes, disinfectants, masks to ensure prevention against covid-19 and enforce sanitary measures,” Néné Nkulu wrote in his circular note.
This moratorium runs from 2 July for mining companies located in Lualaba as this date coincides with the day that these companies endorsed this decision of the government.
As for the miners in Upper Katanga, the moratorium runs from 6 July, according to the circular.
However, for other companies that have requested “special treatment,” they have two months to deconfes their workers.
Until deconfinment, mining companies will have to provide health care for workers and their families; Ensure that they provide decent housing and healthy food for confined workers; comply with the regulations regulating employees’ working hours or prepare for the return to normality of activities by introducing on mining sites the precautionary measures imposed by the government to contain the covid-19.
Amédée Mwarab
