Centre News Hub
Bikita- Relentless efforts by a Chinese Shift Manager to get three black workers from the production department fired for sleeping on duty during a night shift backfired after the trio produced picture evidence of a fellow Chinese worker they were caught napping with but was not charged, exposing racism, discrimination and selective application of company policy.
The three workers who cannot be named for fear of victimization appeared before a hearing together with their Chinese supervisor whom they were caught taking a nap with at the Chinese owned Sino Bikita Minerals Lithium Mine on Monday 10 November.
They were all given final written warnings for the offense despite appearing for the hearing as first offenders after the company bosses backtracked from their initial intention to fire them because they had exposed a Chinese worker.
The Shift Manager, Dai Jin Tang reported only 3 black workers to his bosses and charged them with the offense deliberately leaving his countryman who is the supervisor prompting the black workers to produce evidence of a picture of the Supervisor taking a nap as well.
It is alleged that the shift man had vowed that the black workers would be fired but his bosses back tracked and gave them a final warning after they demanded to be tried and treated the same with the Chinese supervisor.
“They even attempted vigorously to have a separate hearing for the Chinese guy but the workers and their workers union representative resisted the move and demanded to be tried together so that they get the same treatment and verdict which was what eventually happened,” said an insider who declined to be named.
The workers accused Tang of violating labour laws, harassment of workers and racism.
“He even tells workers openly that if they want preferential treatment they should change their skin colour to that which is like the Chinese,” said an aggrieved worker.
He is also accused of taking away the same black workers working hours and days after they had attended a funeral of a fellow worker with official clearance.
This is despite the fact that labour laws and company policy allows workers who attend funerals of fellow workers to be treated as officially on duty. It is alleged that Jang said the policy doesn’t apply in his home country.
The workers are allegedly taking the matter up with the Human resources department which held the hearing.
Bikita Minerals spokesperson, Collins Nikisi, confirmed saying the workers violating the Collective Bargaining Agreement: Mining Industry9General Codification) 1990.
“So the SI it’s either severe warning or final warning but the fact they slept on duty close to machines which is a danger to other employees and themselves,” Nikisis said.
Zimbabwe Diamond Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) said the union has indeed received multiple reports and complaints regarding violations of labour laws and poor treatment of workers by Chinese mine investors across Zimbabwe, including similar accusations at Bikita Minerals.
ZDMWU Secretary General, Justice Chinhema, said some of the cases are disturbing and inhumane.
“Our union has consistently documented issues such as disregard for health and safety standards, low and unpaid wages, excessive working hours, intimidation of workers for union activities, and unsafe working environments in Chinese-operated mines,” said Chinhema.
He added that ZDAMWU stands firm in condemning these violations and continue to demand strict enforcement of Zimbabwean labour laws without exception.
“We have been calling for engagements and dialogue involving all stakeholders such as the Chinese Embassy, mining companies, government and the workers through their union, and communities to address these concerns transparently,” he added.
Chinhema, called for routine inclusive labour inspections by the Ministry of Labour, NSSA and the National Employment Council for the Mining Industry as well as mandatory training programs to some expatriate managements so as to ensure they comply with Zimbabwe’s labour regulations fully.
“We remain committed to protecting the dignity and welfare of mine workers across the country and will continue to hold all mining companies accountable regardless of size to ensure a safe and just working environment for all Zimbabwean workers in the mining sector and we shall continue to do just that” he added.
Tang is not new to controversy as a few months ago he trended on social media after he was involved in a scuffle with a black worker he intended to assault over a work related misunderstanding.
