The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe on Friday fought back accusations of human rights violations in Zimbabwe saying Chinese investors have “created over 100,000 jobs” in the southern Africa country.
This comes after the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) on October 25 raised alarm over alleged continued disregard of labour laws by Chinese-owned firms operating in the country.
In response, the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe said “it is an undeniable fact that Chinese investors have created over 100,000 jobs in Zimbabwe.”
“Recently Chinese enterprises successfully held two job fairs for the local job seekers, and both the number of applicants and the signing rate far exceeded expectations. These are the most convincing vote of confidence that the Zimbabwean people have cast on Chinese investments.”
The Chinese Embassy added that Chinese companies in Zimbabwe have been operating their business in line with Zimbabwe’s laws and policies “while earnestly implementing their social responsibilities and are thus welcomed by the overwhelming majority of Zimbabwean people.”
“The Chinese Embassy has been supporting the Zimbabwean Government to promote the supervision on all foreign investments in accordance with the law and the principle of equality, openness and transparency,” the Embassy continued.
“It is the Embassy’s consistent position that disputes involving enterprises should be addressed through legal channels rather than self-righteous moral trials by a few organizations.”
The Chinese Embassy took the opportunity to slam sanctions imposed on Zimbabwean individuals.
“As a labor organization, the ZCTU should have been committed to protecting workers’ legitimate interests and rights. For more than two decades, the illegal and unilateral sanctions have been hindering Zimbabwe’s international trade and financial cooperation,” the Embassy said.
“Zimbabwe’s daily international transactions have been subject to over review, long delay, inexplicable rejection and even withholding. Zimbabwe’s enterprises and financial agencies have been plunged into unimaginable predicaments or even mass bankruptcy. The illegal and unilateral sanctions have led to a large number of unemployment in Zimbabwe, depriving Zimbabwean workers of their right to work and survival. Unfortunately the ZCTU selectively turns a blind eye to such a challenge which it should be most concerned about. It should explain who pressuring it to do so.”
In a statement, ZCTU acting president Nicholas Mazarura had said the labour body was prepared to take the matter to various international platforms such as the International Labour Organisation.
Mazarura said most workers at Chinese companies were paid way below the stipulated minimum wage and exposed to unsafe working conditions.
