Chinese deputy minister of commerce, Gao Hucheng, also explained that Chinese workers that were on site were technical staff employed to help in the initial stages and will leave after completion of works. Mr Gao, who made the assurance when he visited CCS on Tuesday, said about 1,500 jobs would be created and the majority would be offered to Zambians.
The story reveals something of the odd relationship of NFC-A, the Zambian state and the local population, with the Chinese clearly expecting the Zambian state to politically broker its presence locally, rather than engaging directly as a company with its community. The Minister called on the Zambian Government to ensure meetings were frequently held where stakeholders would be briefed about the progress of the project and be made to fully understand its functions. And Mr Mbulakulima concurred with Mr Gao saying the Zambian Government has always been advocating the same meetings where he said some problems could be resolved. Mr Mbulakulima said there was need for dialogue where the Zambians would understand the concept of the project. He also called for the need to have a system to look at safety and other social responsibilities.
Reflecting the degree of anxiety about the hiring of Chinese labour, and the political sensitivities of the issue, the papers' editorial seeks to re-assure residents of Chambishi, Kitwe and Kalulushi and urges that this clarification "should put to rest speculation that the foreigners at the construction site will take up most of the positions once the project is completed."
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