Meeting over mining jobs fails to end stalemate

By TOBIAS CHANJI

Kwale County: The top management of a mining company appeared before Kwale County Governor Salim Mvurya to resolve an employment issue but the meeting was not conclusive.

The management of Base Titanium Company, including managers Joe Schwarz and Collin Forbes, met with the governor, his deputy and some county assembly members, but gave “half-baked information”.

“I asked them to bring employment data after some workers demonstrated citing favouritism but what they have shown us is the total number of employees,” said Mvurya.

Job uncertainty

The company has so far employed about 1,103 workers. “We wanted information on who are employed and it is only through this data that we can really know if there is a balance in employment,” noted the governor.

Another meeting is slated for tomorrow but only after the miners present a full list of workers. “Our major concern is the locals, whom we will to talk to tomorrow,” added the governor.

The firm’s management however declined to comment on the issue.

Tens of workers at Base Titanium mining site demonstrated over what they termed uncertainty of their jobs after their gate access passes were confiscated by the management.