By MAYA NTANDA –
THE Democratic Governance and Human Rights Advocates (DEGHA) has condemned opposition political parties blaming the Government over job losses in the mining industry.
DEGHA president Gerald Mutelo said it was disappointing that the issue of job losses was being politicised instead of sympathising with the miners and providing viable solutions.
Mr Mutelo said in Kitwe that what was happening as regards the mining sector was disheartening and should not be used as political capital by the opposition parties.
He said the unfortunate experience required rendering support to the affected miners and that this was a time for everyone to support and offer solutions to President Edgar Lungu and the mine unions.
“We are sure the PF Government will put in place measures that will help the ex-miners start a new life, so opposition political parties should stop pointing fingers at President Lungu, he is not the one who has caused the job losses.
“What we all need is to support each other and those who have better solutions need to provide positive criticism because in any case, the role of the opposition is not just to be opposing without providing solutions,” he said.
Mr Mutelo said the current harsh economic environment required everyone to unite, work together, find solutions and show the spirit of ‘One Zambia on Nation’.
He expressed optimism that the retrenchment packages that would be given to miners, if utilised well, could empower them and contribute positively to the country’s economy through job creation and poverty reduction.
Mr Mutelo symphathised with the miners who had lost their jobs and that it was not the end of the  world because out of any problem were opportunities such as engaging in agriculture, trading and  small-scale mining, which would reshape their lives.
He expressed gratitude to President Lungu for the manner he had intervened in helping mitigate the impact of job losses among retrenched Mopani Copper Mines employees who had been given some tax relief by the Government and land for agricultural purposes.
Mr Mutelo commended the mine unions for showing leadership in the manner they had handled job losses in the mining sector.
He also urged the media to promote love, unity and reconciliation as the loss of jobs in the mining industry was sensitive and did not require destructive reporting.