By Own Correspondent

FOLLOWING sustained pressure mounted by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), the government has `folded its tail and agreed to launch a manhunt for illicit labour practices being perpetrated by the Chinese companies.

This follows several engagements and flagging out of the illicit labour practices being perpetrated by Chinese companies which often beat up, underpay and in the worst case scenario shoot local workers.

The ZCTU acting president Nicholas Mazarura this year made headlines after laying bare the numerous acts of misconduct by Chinese employers.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare ministry secretary Simon Masanga recently said they would be partnering with the National Social Security Authority (Nssa) to develop effective strategies to address the matter.

“The ministry wishes to advise that it is currently engaging the Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Mines and Mining Development ministries to comprehensively develop effective strategies to address the matter.

“Furthermore, the ministry would like to highlight that it is working collaboratively with Nssa to conduct workplace inspections across the country to investigate and check compliance by Chinese-owned mining companies to the country’s legislation,” the letter read.

Masanga said the government was committed to ensuring that employees were not discriminated against by their employers in line with the provisions of the country’s laws.