Abstract
Chinese investment in Africa is often assessed from a macroeconomic perspective, emphasizing infrastructure growth, trade volumes, and geopolitical influence. However, a key puzzle remains: How do local workers experience and perceive Chinese firms, and why do narratives of Chinese engagement oscillate between developmental success and exploitative practices? This study addresses this gap by focusing on the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) in Côte d’Ivoire, one of West Africa’s fastest-growing economies. Through a survey of CHEC’s local workforce, the research evaluates job satisfaction across dimensions such as workplace conditions, management practices, salary fairness, and opportunities for skills transfer. The findings reveal mixed perceptions, with workers acknowledging CHEC’s efficiency and employment opportunities but raising concerns about safety standards, limited advancement, and cultural integration. A comparative analysis with perceptions of French firms operating in the same context highlights how management styles and historical relationships influence worker satisfaction. By grounding the analysis in the lived experiences of African laborers, this study bridges the gap between macroeconomic narratives and micro-level realities. The insights provide policymakers, businesses, and civil society with a deeper understanding of how foreign investments can balance efficiency with equitable labor practices, fostering sustainable development in Africa.
Presenters
Matthew RochatStudent, PhD Program, University of California Santa Barbara, California, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Worker Satisfaction, China/Africa, Foreign Investment, Political Economy, Infrastructure, Economic Development
