Top Chinese firms brandish US$ salaries in crisis-hit Zim

Source: Top Chinese firms brandish US$ salaries in crisis-hit Zim -Newsday Zimbabwe

CHINA’s 80 biggest firms with a footprint in Zimbabwe said at the weekend that they were ready to pay United States dollar-indexed salaries for skilled workers and professionals.

This emerged during the Chamber of Chinese Enterprises in Zimbabwe (CCEZ)’s first job fair, which attracted more than 1 700 job seekers.

Chinese investors have invested in a cross-section of Zimbabwean industries including mining and manufacturing.

But most of their interventions have been overshadowed by controversy over investment in prohibited areas and low wages.

Shanel Liu, vice-chairperson of CCEZ said its members were paying between US$200 and US$1 200 per month.

“Most of us are Chinese-listed companies and we operate in diverse sectors of the Zimbabwean industry including agriculture, mining, telecommunication, tourism, power generation, health and medical, manufacturing,” she said.

“Taken in the context of the global economic downturn, unemployment rate in Zimbabwe continues to rise at an unprecedented rate.

She said creating jobs was key to boosting economic growth, reducing poverty, increasing social stability and assisting businesses to grow in a healthy environment.

“The creation of the job fair came after the realisation that there is a huge gap between the supply side of employment and the demand on the side of the industry, with supply being greater than demand.

“The platform was created as a meeting point for those seeking employment and the employers. We believe this will be an effective platform to link the employers and employees,” she told NewsDay Business.

“This is a great opportunity especially for the young graduates to plan their future employment paths.

“Our Chinese enterprises have invested in Zimbabwe in a wide range of industries, and after the successful launch of the job fair, we would like to make it a long-term event that keeps providing more jobs for Zimbabwean job seekers and boosting the local economy.”

COMMENTS

WORDPRESS: 3
  • comment-avatar

    Why are the Chinese in Zimbabwe??? Tell them to pack their bags and leave Zimbabwe to the Zimbabweans. We do not need these Chinese leaches in our country. Zimbabweans are capable of developing their own economy. Well we first have to get rid of the Kleptomaniacs in the Government.

  • comment-avatar
    Nyoni 4 years ago

    True Jan. We don’t need them at all

    • comment-avatar

      Thank You Nyoni. Zimbabwe does not need anyone. We have all the resources we need right here in the country. We have educated and gifted people. Look at the positions Zimbabweans are holding in the diaspora. We have the mineral wealth, that is why China is entrenching itself in our mining industry (robbing us, and illtreating our Zimbabwean people who work in those mines). Our university graduates should not be setting up vending stall to sell sweets and air time. They should be the innovators and entrepreneurs of the country. Mnangagwa and his ZANUPF goons are robbing, what China hasn’t stolen from Zimbabwe. Look at how many mines Mnangagwa “owns”. Our people should not be living in the grinding poverty we witness every day.