The Chinese Ambassador

Your excellency
We are a trade union, National Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe which represents workers in the mining sector.

We are writing this petition letter after taking into consideration the increasing number of workers abuse and blatant disregard of labour laws by all Chinese nationals on Zimbabwe mining workers who are our constituency we represent.

The research we have done as a trade union has revealed that some Chinese management in the mining sector are exposing local workers to slavery working conditions.

Below is the list of companies which we found to be engaging in unfair labour practices across the country.
1 Rundu Mine Chegutu
2 Dinson Mine Manhidze Mashonaland East
3 Dinson Mine Mutare
4 Dinson Mine Hwange
5 Young Africa Shurugwi
6 Leview Mine Penhalonga
7 Lang Chang Odzi
8 KMC Harare
9 Best trade Muzondiwa Zvishavane
10Best Trade Marishonga Shurugwi
11 Goldmore Nyathi Bulawayo
12 Ching She kwekwe
13 Ndarama ching
14 DGL nyathi Bulawayo
15 Sino Ferry Shurugwi
16Ladville Shurugwi
17 Chengete ching Boterengwa Shurugwi
18 Best Copy Lalapanzi
19 Zimbabwe coking coal Company
20 Ming Chang Makaha
21 Ming Chang Kwekwe
22 Ming Chang Mashava

We have instances where workers in the sector are being under paid, working under inhuman conditions, the Chinese employers in most instances not giving employees the requisite protective material, thereby compromising their health and safety- a yardstick to Zimbabwe’s Labour law.

What irks us most as a trade union is that there have been reports across the mining sector where workers are beaten, dehumanised, threatened and even killed upon asking for their wages dues.They also don’t allow workers to join unions which is violation of international labour standards.This has been reported in the local media.

We are therefore requesting your esteemed office to investigate violation of Zimbabwe laws by these Chinese officials in the mining sector and take appropriate measures.
We believe that this will promote industrial harmony and economic growth in the country.

We are dismayed that if the trend of abuse of local employees in the mining sector continues we will be left with no other option except to picket at your embassy we are patriotic sons and daughters of Zimbabwe and we will not tolerate things likely to destabilise our nation and cause instability in the country and have economic repercussions in the mining sector,which is one of the backbone of the country’s economy. We believe workers are the backbone of this nation if they can’t breathe we’ll be left with no option except to defend our zones of autonomy as employees and as a union.

We will be very grateful if you take note of our concerns.

Yours Sincerely

Kurebwa Javangwe Nhomboka

National Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe
President