Govt lifts suspension imposed on Chinese fertilizer firm, subcontractors

The government has lifted the suspension of China Eleventh Chemicals Construction Company and five subcontractors working under United Capital Fertilizer, after the firms complied with labour and safety directives.

Ministry of Labour and Social Security Principal Public Relations Officer, Mwaka Ndawa, confirmed the decision in a statement issued in Lusaka Friday.

The suspended firms included Eleco, Shenlong Company, NCEC (main contractor), XinYang Company, and Draz Company. They were suspended indefinitely on September 23, 2025, after employees were found working without protective gear.

“This was during an impromptu visit conducted by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Mwika Tambatamba, in the company of Labour Commissioner Givens Muntengwa and officers from statutory boards,” Ndawa said.

The statutory bodies present included the Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board, National Pensions Scheme Authority, Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management, and Occupational Safety and Health Institute.

Ndawa said before the suspension, the companies had each been fined K160,000 for violations including non-issuance of contracts and underpayment of wages. The fines are payable by October 15, 2025.

They were also directed to urgently rectify the violations, particularly improving workplace safety.

“The companies have since complied with the Ministry’s directives. Inspectors verified the provision of PPE to the workers on September 24, 2025,” she stated.

Ndawa added that inspectors will continue monitoring operations at the six companies to ensure sustained adherence to labour standards.

She further appealed to all employers to prioritize worker safety in their operations, stressing that productivity and profitability can only thrive where employees’ rights and well-being are safeguarded.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.