A two-day workshop on Chinese Investment in Africa ended in Accra on Wednesday, with a call on African Governments to involve trade unions when negotiating agreements with investors.
Participants at the workshop made up of General Secretaries and Presidents of organizations affiliated to the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers Unions (ICEM) were of the view that because the unions were not represented during such negotiations, workers interests were not catered for adequately.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued after the workshop, which was organized by the ICEM in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
The objective of the workshop was to look at the negative and positive effects of Chinese investment and make appropriate suggestions to stakeholders.
They expressed their concern about the abuse of workers rights by Chinese Companies, adding that, their "ruthless exploitation of workers and that of the environment of communities in which they operate, is now well known throughout the African Region.
The participants said trade unions should actively lobby their respective governments to annul all past agreements on access to raw materials that did not adequately protect workers, the community and the environment.
The communiqué said Trade Unions should build linkages and lobby the African Union, Pan African Parliament and regional bodies to ensure greater transparency and accountability.
They should also ensure compliance with various international standards entered into by governments and employers, International Labour Organization (ILO) and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
They said trade unions should encourage positive and cautious relationship with appropriate nongovernmental organizations in civil society in areas where Chinese Investment were posing problems and to also include these organizations in any campaign to halt exploitation.
The participants commended the South African Dockworkers Union (SATAWU) for their solidarity action involving a Chinese armament shipment to Zimbabwe.