Chinese firms abusing workers with impunity
By Tererai Karimakwenda
13 November 2006

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has revealed that Chinese companies in Zimbabwe appear to have protection from the government regarding their treatment of workers and their environmental standards. It is no secret that the Mugabe regime’s “look-east” policy hinges mainly on its relationship with China and that many projects in the country have been contracted to Chinese firms. The ZCTU acting secretary-general Japhet Moyo said the Chinese do not follow the Labour Act, which spells out the relationships between employee and employer. What they have found is that Chinese firms do not follow what the law says in terms of safety clothing and conditions of employment.

Moyo gave the example of one Chinese company in the metal sector where the owner speaks to buyers about the materials they need in English. But whenever they identify themselves as trade union representatives the same Chinese individual says he does not understand and his interpreter is away in China. Moyo said: “They always tell you they agreed with government but did they agree to suppress workers? It is not clear what these agreements were.”

Moyo said ministry officials seem to be protecting Chinese companies. He spoke of a general reluctance by the labour ministry to be hard on the Chinese. The ZCTU is not given access to the final reports produced by labour officials whenever complaints are submitted against Chinese firms. Moyo told us the officials always say “We are working on it.”

As for environmental violations, Moyo pointed to a Chinese steel company in Willowvale that has a furnace which is polluting the area beyond accepted standards. The managers told ZCTU officials the inspectors allow them to operate it at night only so they do not to bother other companies in the area. Moyo said whether it is night or day pollution is pollution and the furnace should be shut down.

For many years now the Chinese have been criticized for running so-called “sweat shops” where the workers put in long hours under appalling conditions for less than minimum pay. The same conditions are known to exist in China as well. This is how Chinese firms keep the price of their products cheap to compete on the world market.