What is Govt doing about Chinese who are flogging workers?
Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has asked the government about its measures to deal with foreign employers who are whipping their workers.
Mliswa said there are many cases in the country of such things happening.
The legislator pointed fingers at the Chinese nationals as being the chief culprit.
‘’Thank you very much Mr Speaker Sir. The onus is on Members of Parliament to also know the law. It is not one-sided but it is both sides. Moving forward, my question is directed to the Minister of Labour.
‘’In terms of the unfair labour practice being meted on the citizens of this country by most foreign companies, especially the Chinese, for example, the Chinese factory in Norton which I am happy you did visit and there are some findings you came up with.
‘’However, the issue has escalated to a point where 20 people have been disabled and fired. At the new Lithium Company in Buhera, Manicaland; our people are being whipped by the Chinese again.
‘’So, there is great abuse of our own people. What is the Ministry doing to ensure that there is fair labour practice upon our people in this country because they are suffering at the hands of foreign investors, especially the Chinese in the two institutions The Buhera Lithium Project and the Norton Tile Company?
Responding to Honourable Mliswa, the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Lovemore Matuke said the government has already dealt with some of the cases.
‘’I think the Honourable MP is quite aware that we responded to one of those issues which were reported to our
office. Now that he is mentioning two other cases, I am sure we will take them on board and make thorough investigations,’’ he said
Honourable Matuke added that the government is treating all the investors the same.
‘’I want to comment on the companies. They are just like any other foreign investors. The Honourable Speaker is aware that Zimbabwe is open for business and we have attracted quite a number of investors coming from different nations and China is one of them.
‘’However, when you present an issue like what you did Honourable Member; we will follow up and ensure that we investigate the issues which are reported but not single out the Chinese as our enemy. I think there are different investors with different behaviour.
‘’We will get to the bottom of what you reported Honourable Member and make sure that we come up with a solution.
What is Govt doing about Chinese who are flogging workers?
