Reign in Chinese companies against workers’ rights violations and social protection β ZCTU urges government
Zimbabwean employees face serious challenges of decent work deficits following the construction industry boom.
Due to the sudden boom in the construction industry, issues of violation of workers’ rights and social protection are on the increase with the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) calling for government to reign in Chinese companies where most cases have been reported.
Presenting a paper on “Enhancing Workers Rights and Social Protection” during the launch of “Decent Work in Construction Industry” recently in Harare, ZCTU deputy secretary general, Runesu Dzimiri said the country faces issues of violation of workers rights and social protection especially from Chinese companies.
Dzimiri said enhancing workers’ rights and social protection was crucial for ensuring fair treatment, income security, and overall social justice in the modern economy. Strong social protection systems, which can be financed through social insurance or general taxation, help stabilize economies, protect vulnerable populations against life cycle risks, and reduce poverty.
“We applaud the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in coming up with a pilot project on Decent Work in Zimbabwe.
“We face serious challenges of decent work deficits following the construction boom the country is facing.
“We have serious misgiving particularly as pertaining to Chinese companies who seem to ignore the issues of decent work in their companies. Some openly say they are protected by some authorities,” Dzimiri said.
“The decent work deficit in Chinese companies range from health and safety, unfair wages and exploitative contracts, poor social protection and complete disregard of labour rights.
“We call upon the government of Zimbabwe to reign in these wayward friends of ours from the East. We do not want workers to take the law into their hands.”
In recent months, social media has been awash with videos showing fist fights and at times shootings have occurred between Chinese employers and their Zimbabwean employees due to wages’ altercations.
“The key strategies for enhancement include Universal Coverage. We must aim for universal social protection floors, covering health, sickness right, unemployment, old age, and work injury for everyone, as a fundamental.”
According to him, enhancing workers’ rights and social protection also involved implementing policies and initiatives that ensure fair treatment, safety, and a social safety net, particularly in the face of modern challenges like the ZiG economy and automation (Al).
He urged the private sector and government to also expand core protections like health insurance. benefits. maternity/paternity, disability, unemployment, and employment Injury and for the state to adopt ILO Conventions (like C102) and Recommendations (like R202) to set minimum standards for adequate, non- discriminatory social security.
“Enhancing workers’ rights and social protection is a multifaceted imperative that underpins economic stability, social cohesion, and the realization of human rights,” said Dzimiri. *_-NewZimbabwe_*
