Chinese firm workers face harsh conditions

WORKERS at Datong Industrial Corporation, a Chinese firm dealing in melting manganese are working under harsh conditions, Chisamba District Council chairperson, James Ntalasha has revealed.

The workers have no worksuits, safety boots and gloves suitable for the job which subjected them to intense heat during the melting of manganese.

The manganese is sold to local and foreign companies specialised in making round bars.

The workers’ plight came to light when Mr Ntalasha visited the factory after complaints of air pollution from residents of Chilokelo ward in Katuba constituency.

A worker who sought anonymity revealed that because of not having safety boots they suffered electric shocks as they melted manganese.

He also said despite being subjected to harsh working conditions and a salary below K1, 000, they had no off days and as a result worked even during holidays, including Independence Day.

“We don’t have working suits, safety boots and gloves. We also don’t have off days, we work even on holidays including important ones like Independence Day. All this for K900 per month,” he said.

Mr Ntalasha told one of the company owners only identified as Mr Lee through a phone call as he was not on site to ensure that the factory followed the laid down procedure and regulations failure to which they would face closure for putting the lives of workers in danger.

He urged workers to be responsible for their own lives by reporting any sort of abuse to authorities instead of keeping quiet as doing so was not only risking their lives but encouraging investors to flout the country’s labour laws.

And on air pollution, the council chairperson advised the factory management through the supervisor, Ernest Mwaka to ensure that they raise the chimney to a reasonable height to prevent polluting the surrounding community as doing so would lead to outbreak of respiratory diseases.

Mr Ntalasha said much as they welcomed investors, rules and regulations should be followed by all investors.

“We welcome the company, and its investment but we want them to follow the rules and regulations of this country on setting up a factory and all labor matters,” said.

The air from the chimney factory which is short has polluted the near by houses and vegetation in Cholokelo ward.