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Daniel Nemukuyu Senior Reporter
Sunny Yi Feng Tiles (Pvt) Limited — a Chinese firm setting up a multi-million dollar tile manufacturing plant in Norton — has been told to prioritise locals in their recruitment exercise.

Sunny Yi Feng, which is set to recruit 1 600 people, was recently barred from launching operations by the High Court after failing to take appropriate measures to protect the environment.

However, the High Court ruled that operations can only be launched upon compliance with the health and safety requirements.

The company has since embarked on rectifying the mistakes and meeting the conditions set by the Environment Management Agency (EMA), Norton Town Council, Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) and other stakeholders.

During an all-stakeholders’ review meeting in Norton yesterday, Norton constituency legislator Mr Temba Mliswa demanded that the company gives preference to the unemployed Norton residents before advertising posts nationally.

Mr Mliswa said there were a number of unemployed graduates in Norton who qualify for posts required at the tile plant.

“Why are you advertising jobs to the whole nation when Norton has qualified people to fill up the vacancies? We have a number of graduates trained in various fields relevant to your business here. Some even studied in China and obtained Masters degrees, but you are not considering them.

“They can even speak Chinese. There is need for you to consider advertising the posts in Norton and if you do not get qualified people, then you go national,” he said.

Chief Chivero, who also attended the review meeting, vowed not to endorse the project if the company continues hiring workers outside Norton.

“I am the chief and I will not accept a situation where you hire staff from far away districts while we have a high unemployment rate in Norton.

“The company must bring empowerment to the locals. At least 90 percent of the workers must be drawn from Norton and surrounding areas. My people must benefit from the project,” said Chief Chivero.

Most stakeholders were happy with the progress made by the tile firm in complying with the health, safety and infrastructural standards.

Sunny Yi Feng president Mr Yi tang said by end of this week, his company would have met all the set condition.

If all goes well, Mr Tang said, Sunny Yi Feng will start operating in April next year.