Icolo e Bengo – The State General Inspection of Labour (IGT) found several irregularities in the municipality of Icolo e Bengo today, Monday, including the lack of working conditions, food and medical and medication assistance for Angolan workers at a Chinese company.
The IGT obtained the primary information through a public complaint, made through an amateur video, published on social media, in which Angolans are physically attacked by an alleged Chinese person.
Called Zhongah Hengtri, the Chinese company is located in the urban district of Catete and is dedicated to the manufacture of steel rods.
On the occasion, the Deputy Inspector General of the General Inspectorate of Labour, Leandro Cardoso, said that upon encountering this fact, it was necessary to investigate "in loco" what is really happening at the level of Chinese industries in the country.
According to the official, this visit, which was also part of the IGT's "Decent Work" program, revealed several irregularities, including a lack of safety equipment, food, health and wages.
He said that the case of a worker who suffered burns in a work accident was investigated, but he was not provided with any hospital or other support.
Furthermore, he considered it even more serious that there are suspicions that this company does not register its workers with Social Security or pay the appropriate tax contributions.
The IGT's Deputy Inspector General stressed that, having assessed the situation of administrative infractions that were evident in the company, there is a possibility of a temporary closure for 15 days to resolve all the shortcomings. Leandro Cardoso stressed that this work of visiting Chinese companies will continue to demand that they comply with the laws in force in Angola.
The Chinese company Zhongah Hengtri, which has been operating in the municipality of Icolo and Bengo since 2020, is dedicated to the production of steel rods and employs 325 national workers and 37 expatriates. CLAU/AJQ/TED/DOJ
