China Jiangxi chief engineer Peng Xuan and other government officials
to ensure that preparations for the launch are well done
Workers employed by China-Jiangxi to construct the new provincial government office block in Chinsali district of Muchinga Province today protested at the permanent secretary’s office over alleged poor working conditions and inhuman treatment by the Chinese contractor.
The Irate workers have complained that since their engagement three months ago, they have not signed any formal contract that stipulate their work conditions saying transport to ferry them to the project site, about eight (8Kilometres) away has been withdrawn; a situation they have described as pathetic.
Among other problems highlighted include, non-payment of tools allowances despite them doing the work with their own handy equipment saying what has incensed them more is the withdrawal of transport to ferry them to the construction site without paying them any allowance.
The group leaders who sought anonymity told ZANIS that the use of abusive language and beating of workers is slowly creeping in the work environment citing a recent incident in which a named 28 year old casual worker was hit with a shot button on his back but the matter was not reported to police as it was sorted out amicably.
The irate workers said among the 70 workers include skilled labour force of carpenters, bricklayers and general casual workers who are all getting the same daily wage of KR15 per day.
And District Commissioner (DC), Evelyn Kangwa has denounced the engagement of Chinese contractors saying many of these firms do not heed to the Zambian labour laws of the land as reported in most cases.
She explained that since the arrival on site of the contractor, there has been no tangible works to report about despite government pouring in huge financial resources saying there is no equipment at the site only five Chinese foremen and a supervisor and the 70 man- Zambian workforce that are seen to be making the site busy.
The senior government official threatened to chase the contractor out of the district if such reports continue surfacing adding that her office has extended a human hand by providing the state house which is supposed to be official residence for the district commissioner to the Chinese nationals which they are currently using for their accommodation.
Miss Kangwa has demanded that the contractor should fully adhere to the contractual obligations saying she will soon study the contents of the document to acquaint herself of what is expected of them.
And Deputy Permanent Secretary, Jewis Chabi has assured the irate workers that his office will soon dispatch the Provincial Labour Officer to meet with the contractor, who is currently in Lusaka, to iron out all contentious issues to avoid delaying the works.
Mr.Chabi said it is worrying that just three months after the contractor engaged the workers; threats of work stoppage are surfacing saying the project to construct the new Government Administration block is supposed to run for 18 months saying such acts may just derail the works.
He assured the workers that transport to ferry them to the construction site will be provided to them as he has spoken to the site supervisor on phone who has issued such instructions to his foremen, a move that cheered the group who later swung in action to return to work.
Zambians must quit an attitude of entitlement and quit expecting governmental intervention. If conditions are bad, why don’t you save enough and resign? You won’t because you are unqualified and bankrupt. The socialism mentality has got to leave.
How come you are still in employment yourself? everyone who saves enough to become an employer would need employees, and employees need good conditions of service. You missed the point, didn’t you?
Sir Isaac, Lord Vold is just try to be smart when he is clearly dull.
Lord Voldemort (The Dark Lord) You pulled that one right out of your smelly A.S.S!
How do you start working for either a company or anybody without a contract that will inform you of your responsibilities and what you’ll get in return e.g start of shift hourly pay etc, if you start work without all this information, what do you think you’re saying to your employers…come on Zedians get a grip, think
What choice do they have when it’s a take it or leave situation?
Seems PF are using chinese for zambian works. So his campaign promise was just another lie. I know plenty zambian firms who can do these type of projects. Unless the government is getting a kick back from the chinese. A bogus development.
If a contractor sees that the government in power has illiterate, clinically dull, and ignorant leaders, that contractor will try anything they want until they are stopped. The id.i.o.t.s are the same workers all over the country who keep withdrawing their cases whenever they are abused. The only way to teach these contractors is to take the matter up with the police and let them prosecute the culprits. Otherwise the impression now being created among these chinese a.r.s.es is that the boss can beat, shoot, or even kill a worker and they will negotiate their way out of trouble. It is the workers’ fault. ALSO, next time vote for a better political party. Everything happening is the fault of Zambians. Even local Zambian contractors get away with a lot of s.h.i.t, by the way!!
Kill one Chinese again period!
There are very little human rights in China. Why would they have any considerations of workers in their new colony of Zambia. Get real! Chinese money is buying everything and anything across the globe. People need to start saying what are we getting out of this? There are still laws in Zambia. Make your new colonial master adhere to them. In China they still have child slave labour.
Working for a chinese contractor is far much better than working for a Zambian one. Zambian contractors are just crooks who will divert workers salaries/wages to build luxury houses or buy expensive cars. By the time the project is ending, the Zed contractor will still be owing 3 months pay. Been in the industry long enough to know this, besides, our attitude at work (most zedians) is that we are too lazy and expect to be paid even overtime for sleeping at work. Dont disturb the chinese but try to learn and adopt their work culture……next!!!!
Imwe just get what you are being given.your freinds at munali nickel have all been layed off because the mine has finally been closed.your other freinds at zesco were yesterday shown crying on tv because they were also fired.guys be grateful that you are at least in employment.
You guys are nuts. How do you start anything without knowing why. You must be jokers
Thank you for sharing fantastic informations. thank-ok-it