News / National
Tsvangirai accuse Chinese of unfair labour practices
23 May 2013 at 03:25hrs | Views
PRIME MINISTER Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday launched a thinly veiled attack on Chinese investors in Zimbabwe accusing them of unfair labour practices.
He also rapped his MDC-T led City of Harare council for failing to repair roads that are riddled with potholes.
PM Tsvangirai said the high volume of traffic in Harare was a result of potholes that made the traffic to move slowly as motorists would be having a torrid time to negotiate their way in the pothole-infested roads.
He made the remarks during his meeting with the visiting Chinese vice premier Mr Wang Yang, who had said the high volumes of traffic in Harare's streets were reflective of a ticking economy.
PM Tsvangirai said: "You said traffic congestion is a sign of development but I want to say to you that is because of potholes."
This was a clear admission that the MDC-T led council had failed to run the city.
PM Tsvangirai said the Government was not against Foreign Direct Investment but was against what he termed "unacceptable labour practices".
"This is not an accusation. Yes we welcome Foreign Direct Investment but we want to maintain acceptable labour practices. There may be one bad egg in the basket and it may spoil the whole basket," he said.
PM Tsvangirai's position dovetails with his party's position that had for long accused Chinese investors of abusing their local workers.
In 2010 Labour Minister Paurina Mpariwa claimed that Government was investigating Chinese firms for ill-treating workers and violating health and safety regulations.
The Minister alleged that National Social Security Authority was charged to conduct investigations after receiving reports of ill-treatment of workers by the Chinese. PM Tsvangirai said Zimbabwe wanted investment on a win-win basis.
He said the new constitution that President Mugabe assented to yesterday guaranteed protection of foreign investments.
"On our part, we pledge to respect property rights as part of the many rights that are now protected by our new Constitution which Zimbabweans recently endorsed overwhelmingly," said PM Tsvangirai.
"We respect property rights and we hope to receive FDI from China which will work as a catalyst to the development of our economy and lead to improved livelihoods of the people of Zimbabwe and the sustainability of Chinese investment."
Mr Wang told PM Tsvangirai he hoped to broaden areas of economic co-operation between the two countries during his visit.
"Through this visit I hope to increase mutual understanding and economic co-operation between China and Africa," he said.
Mr Wang said Chinese investments in Zimbabwe were also booming and benefiting locals.
He also rapped his MDC-T led City of Harare council for failing to repair roads that are riddled with potholes.
PM Tsvangirai said the high volume of traffic in Harare was a result of potholes that made the traffic to move slowly as motorists would be having a torrid time to negotiate their way in the pothole-infested roads.
He made the remarks during his meeting with the visiting Chinese vice premier Mr Wang Yang, who had said the high volumes of traffic in Harare's streets were reflective of a ticking economy.
PM Tsvangirai said: "You said traffic congestion is a sign of development but I want to say to you that is because of potholes."
This was a clear admission that the MDC-T led council had failed to run the city.
PM Tsvangirai said the Government was not against Foreign Direct Investment but was against what he termed "unacceptable labour practices".
"This is not an accusation. Yes we welcome Foreign Direct Investment but we want to maintain acceptable labour practices. There may be one bad egg in the basket and it may spoil the whole basket," he said.
In 2010 Labour Minister Paurina Mpariwa claimed that Government was investigating Chinese firms for ill-treating workers and violating health and safety regulations.
The Minister alleged that National Social Security Authority was charged to conduct investigations after receiving reports of ill-treatment of workers by the Chinese. PM Tsvangirai said Zimbabwe wanted investment on a win-win basis.
He said the new constitution that President Mugabe assented to yesterday guaranteed protection of foreign investments.
"On our part, we pledge to respect property rights as part of the many rights that are now protected by our new Constitution which Zimbabweans recently endorsed overwhelmingly," said PM Tsvangirai.
"We respect property rights and we hope to receive FDI from China which will work as a catalyst to the development of our economy and lead to improved livelihoods of the people of Zimbabwe and the sustainability of Chinese investment."
Mr Wang told PM Tsvangirai he hoped to broaden areas of economic co-operation between the two countries during his visit.
"Through this visit I hope to increase mutual understanding and economic co-operation between China and Africa," he said.
Mr Wang said Chinese investments in Zimbabwe were also booming and benefiting locals.
Source - herald
