The Federation for Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ) has condemned the beating of Zambian workers by Chinese nationals at the Chinese Collum Coal mine in Sinazongwe District in Southern Province.
FFTUZ President Joyce Simukoko said treating workers well was important for any company which wanted to improve its production levels.
Mrs. Simukoko told ZANIS that what transpired in Sinazongwe justified the call for foreign investors coming into the country to always observe Zambian labour laws and respect for workers rights.
“Workers are an imperative tool for these companies to record production, so why should they violate their rights when they are working for them,” Mrs Simukoko said.
She said it was for this reason that government should come up with stringent measures to compel investors to always adhere to labour laws that govern workers in the country.
Mrs. Simukoko said although foreign investors were creating job opportunities for the local people, there was need for them to abide by the laws of the country and respect for human rights.
She further advised government to also address the issue of language barrier between investors and local workers.
[pullquote]” Most of these conflicts in Chinese companies are caused by the language barrier that exists between the management and the staff. Government should quickly move in and arrest the situation,” She said.[/pullquote]
She charged that language barrier between Chinese management in some Chinese companies and their Zambia workers have been the source of most labour disputes in these institutions.
“Most of these conflicts in Chinese companies are caused by the language barrier that exists between the management and the staff. Government should quickly move in and arrest the situation,” She said.
Mrs. Simukoko further added that there was also need for foreigner investors coming to invest in the country to learn and use the official language as a way of avoiding such conflicts and misunderstandings.
Chief Sinazongwe has also condemned the Chinese investors at the mine saying they had no right to mistreat Zambian workers and assaulting them.
And when contacted for a comment, Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) officials said they were still studying and investigating the matter and would soon issue a comprehensive statement.
Last week four Chinese nationals at shaft three beat up two miners Kilian Chilindile aged 30 and Chipo Muleya who is 28 years old with sticks and spears for allegedly failing to meet the 15 tonnes production target.
One of the victims Chipo was admitted to Maambo hospital after being assaulted and the four Chinese nationals were detained at Sinezeze police post where they accepted the offence and paid K2 million each to the two victims.
[ ZANIS ]
zambians laziness and thieving pa job
#1 Chinese people look down on Africans and they can’t speak other languages but their own they only know hello and goodbye and in their own country human rights don’t exist so If a worker is lazy and no performing according to his contract you can fire them but beating up grown people with their own children is derogatory and should never be entertained.
‘Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) officials said they were still studying and investigating the matter and would soon issue a comprehensive statement.’ Cant remember who else is fond of this phrase.
Beating up grown-ups is primitive and can only be done in China and not Zambia. If chinese feel zambians are lazy they should go back to china and practice their primitive ways. Zambia does not need such individuals. The K2million paid to the employees is not enough, they should pay each employee at K50million that way chinese will not abuse employees again. In zambian culture you can not beat grown man.
They bring corruption and abuse of human rights, these Chinese infestors.
Back in their country, some of them were born in pigsty’s how dare they think that they are better than africans. In their country they where just casual workers now that they feel superior in africa because Zedians like most africans are too friendly, always with a smile even if their enemies are mocking them straight faced whilst using them as cheap labour to enrich themselves.
If africans love themselves enough then its high time to stop accepting rubbish and demeaning treatment from anyone who is just a visitor. AFRICA is OURS!
The Government have benefited from these so-called investors, hence are willing to look the other way. Ultimately you cant treat workers like that and expect them to be productive. I think there should be better protection for the workers, and a lot more stringent rules on the Investors. Ultimately its our natural resources that they are taking so why pay the price for it??
# 4,, i Agree with you but but you need to pay for it the leaders of zambian already benefited so no matter how much you can lament no change my dear! once these chines will leave the country if its fit to be called so now it will remain a desert….ciao.
cfff
zambians sure, ati twalipoka ubuntungwa , you are being treated like that and you so called leaders are busy eating money from them…..mulekosafye.you will die slaves.
Chinese are not Investors these people are destroyers! If in Australia they’re been chased out of that country because of lacking of the capability to manage the Mines. And what kind of a leader can say yeah, Chinese are good Investors. Yes, only those who’re corrupt like the same Chinese can say that… Chinese have nothing but with full of poor management, cheap labour, low wages and they do not know the importance of their workers no respect for workers rights. Yes of-course, investors must always adhere to labour laws that govern workers in the country. Chinese are nothing but a piece of S.H.I.T