Abuse of workers in Zambia

Abuse of workers in Zambia
Abuse of workers in Zambia This time my thoughts focus on labour matters in Zambia. I have observed that there is wantom abuse of man-power in Zambia in many areas of this economy.This abuse of labour exists in government, parastatals and private companies.Just tis week, 500 workers from Chambishi Copper Smelter were dismissed for staging a protest to press for better salaries and conditions of service. They fought running battles with the Chinese employers. The gutted a dump truck and a guard house. My heart also grew large because some senior government representatives came out in open and said the the protesting workers got what they asked for.But the company management has now clarified that the irate workers have not been dismissed. A representative has stated that the workers have simply been asked to exculpate themselves why they took part in the violent clashes.The ministry of labour has been prompted to summon all human resource managers from the Copperbelt and Northwestern provinces to meeting in Lusaka where they would be handed instructions on labour matters.In Zambia abuse of labour especially by foreign employers has heightened and the authorities need to flex their mucles to put an abrupt end to this.I get worried when government officials seem to treat these abusers with kid gloves like has been the case especially with those Asians hailing from China.I accompanied the minister of lanour and social security Ronald Mukuma to some factories in Lusaka.We visited Spar supermarket, Printech printing firm and a Zambian of Asian origin Hardyl Ghataura who runs a firm called Akaal engineering.The man makes so much money at his company, but that is not consumerate with the working conditions under which his workers operate.The latrin is in a deplorable state. The workers have no protective gear such as hard hats, safety boots and glasses from the blinding flames in the welding rooms.I feel the government, who are at the centre of ensuring minimum standards in the safety of workers must not just talk and warn such employers, the government must close down such factories without taking into consideration the economic losses that would follow.Such employers must be told and I am sure they are aware that they cannot succeed without the same workers they abuse.