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Article

19 Nov 2014

Author:
Habel Chidawali, The Citizen (Tanzania)

Tanzania: Local China Sichuan International Cooperation workers allege mistreatment; includes company's comments

"Local staff fault Chinese firm"

Marginalised local staff working for a Chinese construction firm, SIETCO have called for the government’s intervention in sorting out their pay dispute and claims of mistreatment by their employer. China Sichuan International Cooperation Co. Ltd (SIETCO), which is constructing the Dodoma-Iringa road to tarmac level, has been accused by the local staff of withholding its workers’ wages as well as intimidating those involved in moves to seek justice. The marginalised workers...[said] the company has failed to meet the standards of both labour laws and investment regulations. “Its management doesn’t understand the concept of a workers’ rights. Several times we have been intimidated by bulldozers when we seek justice,” said one of the workers who preferred anonymity. Skirmishes between the local staff and their Chinese employer erupted after the workers went to their employer’s office to demand wages after completing the construction of Fufu-Migori section...Responding to allegations, a company official who introduced himself as Mr Lee admitted to have received complaints saying they were working on them.