By SOLWEZI TODAY REPORTER
FQM Trident Ltd has been suffering production losses due to the increased number of workers in Covid isolation, a situation that is adding more pressure on other workers to try and meet expected production figures.
The mine has introduced protocols aimed at encouraging all employees and contractors to be vaccinated, a move similar to the Covid-passes mandated by governments in many parts of the world including Zambia. FQM Trident General Manager Sean Egner has engaged with employees on the importance of observing Covid protocols and benefits of vaccination for the mine to remain operational and profitable.
With the onset of the fourth wave globally and discovery of new strains, management has increased sensitization on the negative effects of the pandemic on production and the general livelihood of employees. The mine has embarked on sharing factual information on Covid‑19 in its effort to achieve at least 80 per cent vaccination coverage of the workforce.
Speaking when he received his booster shot, Egner dispelled false information surrounding Covid vaccines and urged employees to avoid being misled by myths that are hampering the attainment of desired numbers of vaccinated employees.
“I call on you to pick a trusted and proven source of information. Our government, through the Ministry of Health together with the World Health Organization (WHO) have taken a lot of effort to provide facts and information for us to make informed decisions.”
Egner said that the pandemic is not a short-term issue and will be around for the foreseeable future as scientists are already forecasting the next wave and variants. He encouraged employees to get vaccinated because the only intention is to protect the human population.
“Science has shown that a vaccinated population suffers less severe impacts than an unvaccinated one, as can be seen in data shared on hospitalization and death rates in countries around the world. Covid is a reality for us and the world, it has far reaching effects and consequences and only once the world gets it under control will things start to return to normal.”
