Martin Tazvivinga, the ZCTU Central Region Chairman, told The Zimbabwean at the commemoration of the 472 miners who perished in the 1972 Kamandama disaster, that the Chinese language had made it difficult for local workers to demand their labour rights from employers.
He added that although the Chinese employers had a few local middlemen who could interpret the language, it was important for workers on the lowest level to communicate directly with them.
“We have started deploying our trainers to affiliate unions so that they teach members Mandarin. We want our members to be able to speak with their employers on the safety, health and labour matters without hindrance.
“There have been problems in the region where some English-speaking Chinese employers pretend not to understand and use it as a tactic to avoid discussions with their workers on key issues,” said Tazvivinga.
He pointed out that due to company closures in the region, many people were getting jobs in Chinese companies but failing to articulate safety and health issues due to the language barrier.
Chinese chrome mining companies in the province have been accused of failing to meet safety standards in their workplaces. China-Zim International’s chrome plant in Mberengwa, was earlier this year shut down by the Environmental Management Agency over the matter.
Deputy Mines Minister Gift Chimanikire who recently toured the province, complained about the Chinese employers’ failure to recognise the needs of locals.
Post published in: News