"China Labor Watch’s Response to Zijin Mining Statement" 7 January 2025

Following China Labor Watch’s report on Zijin Mining’s violations of workers’ rights, Zijin Mining responded to a statement issued by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre to refute allegations, stating that it “unequivocally reject(s)” the findings on the basis that it adheres to the SA8000 certification, a social certification program intended to encompass the requirements of the International Labor Organization (ILO).

China Labor Watch would like to raise significant concerns regarding Zijin Mining’s process of obtaining the SA8000 certification, which was issued on October 25, 2024. We are also concerned about the audit report provided by Bureau Veritas (BV), the organization that conducted the audit, that led to the issuance of the SA8000 certification.

First, the audit report is not made public and instead shared directly with Zijin Mining. Second, the details of the process of the audit, such as the methodology and period of review, is also not transparent. Lastly, obtaining the certification typically requires companies to pay fees. These factors have made it impossible for public scrutiny of the findings and processes, and the fee payment system brings to fore further questions regarding the independence and impartiality of the certification process...we call into question the legitimacy of the SA8000 certification...

Following Zijin Mining’s statement, China Labor Watch launched an urgent follow-up investigation and found that the company’s abuses persist. Specific issues identified include: 

1. Restrictions on worker freedom: Chinese workers are required to apply for prior authorization before leaving the premises.
2. Withholding of workers’ documents: Worker documents are being withheld, restricting workers’ ability to change jobs freely. 
3. Wage arrears: Some workers employed by third-party companies report unpaid wages for over three months. 
4. Excessive overtime work: Workers are required to work more than 12 hours per day with no rest days each month.
5. Strict fine system: The factory enforced a rigid fine policy on workers.
6. Unpaid Overtime: Workers are not compensated for overtime work as required by law.
7. Unsafe working environment: Workers have received insufficient safety training, and the working environment presents a continuous risk of injury.