Labour Standards Of African Countries And Its Impacts On Chinese Enterprises

With the increasing number of Chinese enterprises in Africa, the ever emerging labor disputes have become the focus of attention, which to some extent affects the healthy development of Chinese enterprises in Africa as well as the construction of China's national image. Investments of Chinese enterprises have been affected by different cultures, histories, legislations and institutions. The existence of international labor standards and difference of African labor legislations is certain to result in labor disputes among Chinese enterprises, such like salary, working time, contract, working condition, welfare and remuneration. By means of collecting various labor disputes Chinese enterprises encountered in Zambia and on the basis of clarifying the facts and interpreting misunderstandings. The paper consists of six parts: the first part is Introduction, which introduces the research trends of African labor standards and its effect on Chinese companies, the significance and purpose of this topic, research methods and critical interpretation of the concept.The second part introduces the development of international labor standards, labor standards in Africa, and the overview development of Zambia labor standards. The development of international labor standards is driven by the global economic development and international trade developments, which not only reflects the demand for labors but also status of economy. Although there does not exist a strictly uniform labor standards, the appeal of corporate responsibility, supervision of international community, different labor investment legislation reflect the development of labor standards.The third part introduces Sino-African economy and trade relations, status and characteristics of economy and trade relations between China and Zambia. Under the continuous progress of Sino-African trade relation, trade between China and Zambia has been gradually enhanced, not only the increase of trade volume but also expanding of investment areas, and it shows an obvious feature.The fourth part focuses on the problems concerning labor standards in Chinese companies investing in Zambia, which include labor contracts, wages, benefits, relations with trade unions, workers rights, health and safety, etc, Meanwhile, attitudes and responses of stakeholders are also presented.Part V focused on reflections on labor standards of Chinese companies, including labor restrictions, poor skills and low quality of workers and so on, and difference of culture and history are directly of indirectly lead to labor standards problems in Chinese companies.Part VI describes how to handle labor standards problems. The most important is the coordination and strive of various Chinese stakeholders. But the fundamental solution is the progress of Zambia economy, education, social, medical and heath system, meanwhile it is inseparable from the coordination and supports from international community and organizations.It is concluded that China as the investor should respect and comply with African culture, legislations and institutions. Pay more attention to investment environment and risk. Meanwhile Chinese central government, local governments, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Chinese-funded enterprises should be coordinated and complement each other. They should work together to define corporate social responsibilities and enhance the transparency of corporate management. How to achieve a long-term and healthy development of Chinese enterprises in Africa needs support from international society. Actually, the most important is enhancement of economy, education and medical treatment in africa. It is just great effort from every body that can bring the long-time and heathy development of Chinese enterprises.