Lack of skills forces China to bring in own workforce

Africa’s lack of skilled workers remains the major reason why China insists on its own workforce when undertaking projects on the continent. Windsor Chan of the China Construction Bank told businessmen at a recent China in Africa conference in Midrand that the lack of an experienced and skilled workforce was a major impediment for many Chinese companies operating in Africa. “When Chinese undertake a project they look at efficiency and make a commitment to deliver in a specific timeline,” he said. “Very often that deadline can only be achieved by bringing in a Chinese workforce that is used to working at a specific pace and is able to deliver on time. The key is to get the job finished in the earliest way possible and local people are not always committed to keeping to deadlines.” He said a railway project in Rwanda which took some four and a half years to complete would only have taken six months to construct had it been done in China. The large influx of Chinese workers into Africa has been raised as a serious concern by a variety of role-players – be it in government or the private sector. “Of course one needs to balance the delivery target of a project with the employment of local workers.” He said in some instances like Angola, compromise had been reached between Chinese companies and the government with two locals employed for every one Chinese worker brought in. “This agreement benefits both the Chinese company and the government as well as the local workers as skills transfer takes place and one sees a more experienced workforce develop in the country.” He said other major impediments in Africa were social and political stability as well as sustainable economic growth. “China is always talking about what Africa wants – be it a railway line from the north to the south or one from east to west or both for that matter. Africa seems to be very keen to engage but it is important that the continent achieves some regional harmony and synchronisation.”