The Chinese business community in Zimbabwe has been urged to strengthen workplace safety, comply with labour laws and prioritise employee wellness as part of efforts to build sustainable businesses and attract long-term investment.

The call was made during the Enterprise Safety and Employee Health Seminar jointly organised by the Zimbabwe Chinese Business Association (ZCBA), the Chinese Zimbabwe Exchange Centre (CZEC) and Cimas.

The seminar brought together business leaders, legal experts and health professionals to discuss enterprise security, labour law compliance, employee medical aid, National Social Security Authority (NSSA) obligations and workplace wellness.

Cimas Chief Executive Officer Vulindlela Ndlovu said healthy employees were critical to productivity and business sustainability.

"We talked about having healthier employees. We need to try Chinese medicines too, just to keep our community healthy," Ndlovu said.

He said Cimas was strengthening collaboration with the Chinese community in research, medical equipment and healthcare materials while upgrading Avenues Clinic into a state-of-the-art medical facility.

"We are working with the Chinese in research, equipment and materials to improve our healthcare," he said.

Cimas Chief Marketing Officer Tatenda Madzikanda said the partnership reflected the organisation's commitment to expanding healthcare access.

"We always wanted to work with the Chinese community to grow our business. CZEC has managed to link us to this event. We hope to see your loved ones covered by Cimas," Madzikanda said.

He also acknowledged NSSA for supporting the initiative.

Speaking during the labour law compliance session, Dr Wang Weifeng, a Research Fellow at the China Africa Research Institute of Xiangtan University and lecturer in the Faculty of Law, urged companies to strengthen employment contract management and ensure compliance with Zimbabwe's labour legislation.

He said contracts should clearly define employment terms, remuneration, responsibilities and the rights of both employers and employees.

Dr Wang also stressed the importance of following proper disciplinary and termination procedures, warning that failure to comply with labour laws could expose companies to costly disputes.

He encouraged businesses to understand the role of National Employment Councils and Collective Bargaining Agreements while establishing clear human resources policies, including employee handbooks, grievance procedures and disciplinary systems.

"Labour law compliance is not only a legal obligation but also a cornerstone of sustainable business development," he said.

Addressing security, Zimbabwe Chinese Business Association Vice President Wang Xinju said although armed robbery cases targeting Chinese businesses had declined over the past six months, companies continued to face emerging threats such as vehicle smash-and-grab incidents, tyre-slashing robberies and organised attacks on mines and lodges.

He urged businesses to strengthen personnel security, physical protection measures and technology-driven surveillance while improving employee screening, emergency preparedness, cash management and internal risk controls.

"Protecting human life must always be the highest priority during emergencies," he said.