MORE than 20 workers at Grinaker LTA, a company contracted by Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) to sink the Konkola Deep Mining Project(KDMP), have been suspended for allegedly taking part in an illegal strike in December last year.

The workers have been served with suspension letters dated January 2, this year, pending investigations into the strike action.

According to the suspension letters, the workers were advised that entry into the plant would only be arranged with the human resource department and KCM security personnel.

"Following the illegal strike at Aveng Grinaker-LTA between December 4 and 16, 2012, you are hereby suspended from work with immediate effect pending investigations regarding your conduct during the strike action," reads one of the letters in part.

The affected workers complained that it was not fair for management to take such measures because they were assured that no disciplinary action would be taken against them.

Grinaker LTA contracts manager Freddie Du Rand said separately that the workers had been suspended pending investigations regarding their conduct during the strike action.

Mr Du Rand said the suspension was a normal administrative procedure until investigations were completed.

In December last year, more that 400 unionised workers at Grinaker LTA protested for two weeks over management's alleged failure to award them a completion bonus for sinking KDMP shaft four in Chililabombwe.

The workers were also demanding that management gives them a reasonable contract that would sustain their livelihood.