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Chinese firm sacks over 500 Zambian workers after riots
Lusaka (AFP) March 5, 2008 A Chinese copper smelter in Zambia on Wednesday dismissed more than 500 construction workers after they rioted and beat up Chinese workers in protest at poor wages, a company spokesman said. Management at the Chambishi Copper Smelter resolved to sack the workers following two days of a strike and riots which led to the destruction of some company property, George Jambwa said. "They have all been dismissed with immediate effect," Jambwa told AFP from mining town of Chambeshi, about 410 kilometres (255 miles) north of the capital. "We have given three days to those who want to be re-employed to write to us and give reasons why they should join our company," Jambwa said. Zambian workers on Tuesday fought with their Chinese colleagues working at the smelter plant resulting in two Zambians and a Chinese worker being badly injured during the fracas that was only stopped by riot policemen. The workers held Chinese managers hostage on Tuesday after they locked gates and office doors of the 200-million-dollar Chinese-owned copper smelter. There was calm on Wednesday as workers trooped in to collect their dismissal letters, Jambwa said. Workers, who staged a similar work stoppage one month ago, said their monthly salaries amounted to a mere 50 dollars (33 euros) a month and complained of poor medical facilities. The smelter is under construction in Zambia's Copper Belt province where the Chinese government has been granted tax concessions. Chinese investors in the southern African nation are often criticised for poor safety records. This criticism grew after 50 Zambian miners died in an explosion at a Chinese-owned copper mine at Chambeshi in 2005. Copper is Zambia's major export earner and contributes more than half of the country's gross domestic product. Related Links Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com
High oil prices drive millions back to poverty in Philippines: survey
Manila (AFP) March 5, 2008Soaring oil prices and the rising cost of living have driven nearly four million people in the Philippines back into poverty, officials said Wednesday. |
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