A Chinese manager at a copper smelter in northern Zambia has been admitted to hospital after being assaulted by workers demanding better conditions, reports BBC online Tuesday.
An estimated 500 workers at the Chinese-owned Chambishi mine site started throwing stones at the managers as they attempted to hold talks. Police came in to restore order and rescue the Chinese who had taken refuge by locking themselves in their offices.
Last year, Chinas president cancelled a visit to Chambishi fearing protests. A blast at the copper mine killed 50 people in 2005. Chambishi Smelter, which is under construction, is part of a huge multi-million dollar Chinese investment in the area.
– The Chinese are not respecting Zambian labour laws, workers representative Teddy Chisala said.
In recent years, China has emerged as one of the biggest buyers of Zambian copper. But Chinese investment in mining and manufacturing have been plagued with constant industrial disputes amidst allegations of poor working conditions.
In elections in 2006, opposition candidate Michael Sata ran on an anti-China ticket, calling for “Zambia for Zambians”. There are now thousands of Chinese working in the mineral-rich Southern African nation.
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