Comments on China in Africa: The Real Story: Human Rights Watch Report on Chinese-Owned Mines i...

"With Michael Sata elected, it is possible (t...

2011-12-08T04:07:49.610-05:00

"With Michael Sata elected, it is possible (though not guaranteed) that Zambia may start to put money into its mines inspections and safety departments, that the abuses laid out in HRW's report will become exceptions rather than daily violations"

In other words, the previous pro-Beijing incumbent was happy to turn a blind eye to violations in return for kickbacks. Zambian workers and business owners can't possibly be any worse off under his leadership.

Chinese firms are profit-oriented and workers' rights and working conditions will not be a feature of any Chinese company unless local laws compel that they be so. Why do you think Chinese firms the world over always want Chinese workers shipped in?

?? I don't think the UK and China have suffere...

2011-11-29T05:30:37.873-05:00

?? I don't think the UK and China have suffered any break in diplomatic relations since they were established. And if this were to happen, why would it happen over Zambia?

Very interesting article, thank you for clearing u...

2011-11-28T13:29:25.725-05:00

Very interesting article, thank you for clearing up some of the anomalies from articles in The Economist. Do you know whether the UK and China suffered a break in diplomatic relations because of issues over Zambia?

it is possible (though not guaranteed) that Zambia...

2011-11-23T00:58:02.997-05:00

it is possible (though not guaranteed) that Zambia may start to put money into its mines inspections and safety departments, that the abuses laid out in HRW's report will become exceptions rather than daily violations, and that there will be accountability in this dangerous and lucrative sector. nike kobe

As I think I pointed out some time ago in this blo...

2011-11-17T19:51:22.272-05:00

As I think I pointed out some time ago in this blog, this just shows how specific attention to China's companies in Africa may raise awareness about broader problems, like conditions in labour markets. One just hopes that HRW and other organizations bother to look at labour rights, working conditions and violations of labour laws across companies and sectors. Therefore, your comments to the report were spot-on. Working conditions tend to be quite poor even in 'formal' sectors and large companies let alone among small and informal employers.

Ms. Brautigam, I was largely inspired by your wo...

2011-11-17T10:29:00.332-05:00

Ms. Brautigam,

I was largely inspired by your work to write a Note for my law school's journal, Transnational Law and Contemporary Problems. I just completed my first draft, and I would be thrilled if you gave it a quick look over and had some comments for me. You are cited several times in my Note. I realize you are very busy, so no offense taken if you decline!

Thanks to Anonymous and Jenson71. While villifying...

2011-11-15T04:10:27.204-05:00

Thanks to Anonymous and Jenson71. While villifying China is unhelpful, it is also not helpful to overlook specific violations of local laws. Chinese companies have pledged to follow local laws and regulations and state-owned companies like China Non-ferrous Metals Corporation especially should be vigilant about this. At the same time, without comparative data, we don't know how "bad" CNMC is compared with other copper miners, or other Chinese companies. Clearly we are at the beginning of research on this issue.

China's involvement with African countries is ...

2011-11-14T17:22:25.571-05:00

China's involvement with African countries is increasing like no other country, however. This is an important report. It's important to understand these abuses so international groups and Zambian officials can act accordingly, and so they aren't replicated in other countries.

I think you touch on a key point regarding western...

2011-11-14T15:13:16.172-05:00

I think you touch on a key point regarding western media and politics towards china. Even if report is accurate, it misses the bigger picture: that abuses happen at all companies and investors in an industry like this. If report were to compare the violations with western and african run mines, it would be more useful. Without that, it's just more demonization of China. If the industry as a whole is not compared, then why should china be singled out and why should china be kept to a higher standard when the western companies hypocritically do their bad deeds. This report is a case of truth in facts, not truth in reporting because it ignores the bigger picture and ends up given a biased and unfair view. It's exactly the kind of report that runs along the lines of propaganda.