Illegal Chinese workers swarm Lilongwe at Golden Peacock

Some illegal Chinese workers are still working at  Golden Peacock in the capital Lilongwe without the blessings of the Department of Immigration which denied them working permits for several times.

Nyasa Times investigations has revealed that Golden Peacock management is still keeping the workers in their managerial positions despite the Immigration Department advice that the group has exceeded the maximum number of five expatriates as required by law.

Golden Peacock has different entities among them Sogecoa Golden Shopping Mall and Sogecoa Hotel in Lilongwe.

One of such workers is Lin Wenweni who is also known as Chen Li.

At first, the company had applied that Wenwen as an expatriate is working under the shopping mall but Nyasa Times investigation has found that she is working as a Sales and marketing manager at the hotel.

According to a department of Immigration letter reference number 104733 dated March 24, 2015 the department felt that it will no longer give TEPs to more expatriates at the hotel.

“I am writing to notify you that the department of immigration has regrettably noted the increased number of expatriates against the maximum number of five.

“In light of these findings the department will no longer entertain any new applicant and it will also scrutinize all renewals in order to minimise the number of expatriates in line with our laws,” reads part of the letter signed by a Mr FT Nyirenda for the Chief Immigration Officer.

It adds: “In View of the above information most positions are now supposed to be taken over by the Malawians that were understudying them per the countries laws.”

Not relenting, Golden Peacock through Jennifer Li on March 30, 2015 insisted that Weniweni be given the permit.

“Miss Weniweni is a go between Sogecoa management and the shopping mall which consists of 76 shops and consists of 40 tenants and she ensures correct information flow on the lease agreements and other binding documentation between the parties.

“She is well versed in providing system wide Chinese/English translation services in order to facilitate communication,” reads the letter.

Apart from Wenwen, other expatriates include a Liu who is working as a chef and Jerson who is a restaurant manager.

When contacted by Nyasa Times, Wenwen who confirmed as working with the hotel and not the shopping mall said handed the phone to her immediate boss who refused to identify herself and said she could not comment unless she is told the source of the information.

In September last year, the Lilongwe Magistrate court convicted a Chinese expatriate working at Golden Peacock for Ivory trafficking and ordered for his deportation.