“You'll Be Fired if You Refuse” - Human Rights Watch

of us in planning has our own computer. This is a big improvement. They have really
improved the technology and machinery.” 89
But the praise for the investment was almost always followed by frustration that the
Chinese companies could spend so much on improved equipment, new smelting or
processing operations, or even new mines, yet not pay workers anywhere near the
salaries that other copper mining companies pay. One underground miner at NFCA said
simply, “The Chinese think bringing investment alone is sufficient.” 90 A miner at CLM felt
similarly, “These people have brought investment. They are opening Muliashi open-pit.
They are hard workers. We appreciate this. But they don’t care about Zambians. If they
change that, we’ll be happy. They are good investors, but they are bad employers.” 91
Finally, a miner at CCS told Human Rights Watch: “The new investor is bringing materials,
looking at how to reap lots of money from the mines. But he is not caring after us. When
you look at the cost of machinery the investor is bringing in, compared to what he is
giving me, it is totally unacceptable. I should also have value…. Why can’t they return
some profits into personnel, safety, and CSR [corporate social responsibility], as well as
into the new investments for mines and machinery?” 92
Numerous miners from the Chinese operations said that while people took the jobs in
Chinese mines over being unemployed, poor work conditions and wages meant they left
as soon as an opportunity existed in another copper mine.
89 Human Rights Watch interview with draftsman at CLM, Luanshya, November 11, 2010.
90 Human Rights Watch interview underground drill operator A at NFCA, Chambishi, November 5, 2010.
91 Human Rights Watch interview with employee in the supply department at CLM, Luanshya, July 17, 2011.
92 Human Rights Watch interview with smelter operator A in CCS plant, Kitwe, July 16, 2011.
31 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | NOVEMBER 2011