Zambia Shuts Down China Eleventh Construction Over Labour Abuses
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has indefinitely suspended operations at China Eleventh Chemicals Construction Company, alongside five other firms subcontracted by United Capital Fertilizer, for flouting Zambian labour laws.
The affected firms — Eleco, Shenlong Company, NCEC (the main contractor), Xin Yang Company, and Draz Company — were each fined K160,000 pursuant to Section 133 of the Employment Code Act No. 3 of 2019. The fines, payable by 15 October 2025, follow findings of serious violations including failure to issue employment contracts, paying below the statutory minimum wage, non-payment for overtime, lack of payslips, poor sanitation, and absence of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Labour inspectors also discovered that the companies had obstructed authorised officers, subjected workers to physical abuse, and failed to register employees for social security under the National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA), occupational injury cover with the Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB), and health insurance with the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA).
Labour Commissioner Givens Muntengwa stressed that the breaches posed grave safety risks, contradicting Zambia’s Vision Zero campaign to eliminate workplace fatalities.
“The absence of PPE at the construction site places workers in hazardous conditions. The Ministry will not wait for an accident to occur before intervening. Operations will remain suspended until safety measures are fully implemented and verified by our inspectors,” he said.
Mr Muntengwa ordered the companies to settle all wage arrears, harmonise pay, cease wage differentials, and provide payslips. He further directed that all workers be paid in full while the suspensions remain in force.
Labour and Social Security Minister, Brenda Mwika Tambatamba, reinforced the government’s commitment to decent work as a pillar of national development. She warned that productivity could not thrive in workplaces where rights and safety were neglected.
“Corporate Social Responsibility begins with workers’ welfare. You cannot claim to help the community while neglecting the people who build your enterprise. A job cannot be called a job if it is not decent, if workers have no contracts, and if they cannot unionise,” she said.
The Minister expressed dismay at the companies’ failure to provide a clear organisational structure during inspections and cautioned against victimising workers who report abuses.
Ms Tambatamba underscored that the Vision Zero campaign requires safety and welfare to be central to all operations.
“No amount of profit is worth a worker’s life. PPE is not optional — it protects both management and employees. Compliance with the law is non-negotiable,” she said.
The government has made clear that the suspension will only be lifted once full compliance with labour and safety standards is achieved.
