Zambia: Tobacco Firm Gets One-Week Ultimatum

Source from:  The Times of Zambia 10/16/2009

GOVERNMENT has given a one-week ultimatum to a Chipata-based tobacco company to pay 17 tobacco farmers K28 million owed to them. Chipata District Commissioner, Moses Nyirenda asked the managing director of Sims Enterprises, Ataf Mogra, to ensure his company paid the farmers by Friday next week. Mr Nyirenda said since the management of the tobacco company had agreed that it owed the farmers the money, it was only fair that they be paid their money. "The company has agreed to pay them and as Government we have directed Mr Mogra that he pays off the farmers by Friday next week," Mr Nyirenda said at a Press briefing in Chipata yesterday. Mr Mogra could not be reached for a comment. Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Kupinga Phiri said the company had not paid them after they sold their tobacco to the dealer about five months ago. Mr Phiri said the farmers had endured a lot of suffering in trying to get their money from the buyer and asked the Government to intervene on their behalf. He said the group was now happy the Government and the buyer had assured them that they would be paid their money. Enditem