Labour Commissioner Givens Muntengwa imposed a total fine of K160,000 on the company, divided into two penalties of K80,000 each, for failing to issue employment contracts and payslips to workers.
Speaking during an inspection, Mr. Muntengwa said the fines must be settled by Friday next week, warning that failure to comply would result in further sanctions.
He also directed the company to recalculate wages and pay outstanding arrears after it was established that employees were earning below the statutory minimum wage.
According to workers, they work 356 days a year without leave, sick days or half days, earning K60 per day and forfeiting the same amount for any missed day.
“This situation is unacceptable. Every worker must be paid the difference, mothers are entitled to a day off every month, and overtime on weekends must be compensated. Moving forward, every worker will now be on a proper salary,” Mr. Muntengwa said.
Operations at the factory were suspended after it was found that the company had failed to provide personal protective equipment, exposing employees to unsafe working conditions.
Mr. Muntengwa further instructed management to immediately provide new bedding for employees who sleep at the factory premises.
Workers expressed frustration during the inspection, citing prolonged exploitation and lack of basic labour protections.
“We don’t have leave days. You don’t have to get sick. There is no half day,” one worker said.
The Labour Commissioner stated that the ministry’s intervention should serve as a warning to employers who disregard labour law
“The payroll has to be run properly. Payslips must be issued. The law is clear and we will enforce it,” he said.
This is only the tip of the iceberg! Zambians are being exploited left, right and center in their own country.
Ministry of Labour needs to do better.
The mistreatment of their worjers is openely visible in the shops owned by the Chinese.
Chinese are the worst employers. South Africa is trying to act tough on them and failing
Ba Elotea In the Lusaka high Court last week Bank of Zambia lost a high profile ruling against a Nigerian investor, BONI.
Because of BOZ inefficiency we will end up paying $40million. Why have you ignored such an important story? Election year censorship?
The high court rulings allow BONI to proceed with its legal challenge against the BoZ’s liquidation of Investrust Bank Plc, a move that wiped out BONI’s 24.8% shareholding without compensation.
Please come to the infamous kingsland and see what modern day slavery is like that fine is too little….properties are quoted in dollar equivalent but the perks are a drop in the ocean every thing is in mandarin even the building plans…in your own country and you boast of a country doing well….until these guys are brought to size we shall just watch…I drove past a sign where a chino is ‘subdividing land for sale’ ….commissioner of lands wake up! amano just on bill 007 not important things like our birth right