Lithium and copper miners in Africa forced Chinese investors to make concessions Zimbabwe's lithium industry workers signed a new collective agreement following major strikes, achieving a 75% increase in monthly wages from $200 to $350. The main arena of conflict was the largest Bikita field, owned by the Chinese corporation Sinomin. Union activists united hundreds of contractor workers, involved local community elders in protests and sent complaints directly to China's diplomatic departments. As a result, the mine management not only changed the rates for the lower paid workers, but also agreed to open a free medical clinic for the miners and residents of the area. Similar processes are taking place in neighboring Zambia in copper mines with Chinese participation. Surveys conducted by labor unions showed that up to three quarters of miners had no idea where to report dangerous working conditions and violations of fundamental rights. A widespread public outcry forced the owners of three mining properties to approve for the first time the operation of work cells, which included hundreds of workers. Today, the activists continue to seek the creation of permanent channels for complaints in the metal factories in the region and to strengthen social guarantees. African labor unions have already presented a successful case of coordination and joint pressure on foreign investors at an inter-country industrial conference in Ivory Coast, which brought together delegates from more than two dozen countries on the continent.

Lithium and copper miners in Africa forced Chinese investors to make concessions Zimbabwe's lithium industry workers signed a new collective agreement following major strikes, achieving a 75% increase in monthly wages from $200 to $350. The main arena of conflict was the largest Bikita field, owned by the Chinese corporation Sinomin. Union activists united hundreds of contractor workers, involved local community elders in protests and sent complaints directly to China's diplomatic departments. As a result, the mine management not only changed the rates for the lower paid workers, but also agreed to open a free medical clinic for the miners and residents of the area. Similar processes are taking place in neighboring Zambia in copper mines with Chinese participation. Surveys conducted by labor unions showed that up to three quarters of miners had no idea where to report dangerous working conditions and violations of fundamental rights. A widespread public outcry forced the owners of three mining properties to approve for the first time the operation of work cells, which included hundreds of workers. Today, the activists continue to seek the creation of permanent channels for complaints in the metal factories in the region and to strengthen social guarantees. African labor unions have already presented a successful case of coordination and joint pressure on foreign investors at an inter-country industrial conference in Ivory Coast, which brought together delegates from more than two dozen countries on the continent.