皮具厂工人争取更好未来

Ethiopia typically conjures up images of drought and starving children. But for the Chinese, the country located on the Horn of Africa looks like good business, with its large population and a government keen on development. And Chinese companies are offering multiple ways to make cooperation economically attractive. Today we take a look at a small leather factory on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, and how its workers are striving for a brighter future.

Being a senior manager, Goytum doesn’t have to frequently work in the noisy workshops of Zhongfeiyang Leather Company in Ethiopia.

The 22-year-old is able to be part of management, because he is considered an old China hand due to his fluent Mandarin.

"I have been working with several Chinese companies. Some of the workers are from Sichuan Province. That’s why I speak Chinese with a little Sichuan accent, and I have no problem understanding what they say," Goytum Mehari, assistant manager of Zhongfeiyang Leather Company, said.

More than 90 percent of the working staff are local people. Goytum’s major responsibility is to help his Chinese manager communicate with the workers.

The factory employs about 500 workers, and is one of the largest in the country’s leather industry. It has been praised highly for the amount of foreign currency it has brought in and awarded money several times by the local government.

The waste water disposal facilities at the factory have also been hailed.

Goytum seems happy to have found a job in a factory like this, even though it means being away from his large family.

"I prefer not to talk about my salary, but it is very high indeed. I have four brothers and one little sister. I am the only one that doesn’t have to ask for money from my parents, and I am able to pay for my sister's tuition," Goytum said.

Ethiopia has the largest animal husbandry industry in Africa. But the products from its leather processing industry are mostly very primitive...with useable items like jackets are rarely made here. But this could be set to change, as Zhongfeiyang Leather Company has plans to set up another factory to make leather gloves.

Goytum, too seems to have high aspirations.

"I do need more money, so that I can go to China. I was told we can do some garment trade there. I speak Chinese, I speak English. I will definitely go there to find even better chances."