BNN provides English-language US and world news, analysis and opinion from all over the Internet. We strive for high standards, ethical behavior, and the presentation of multiple responsible points of view.
|
Get More Traffic For Your Blog! Blog Explosion brings hundreds of interested visitors to your blog - without costing you a cent. BNN News Archive Page |
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
CHINA: THE PEASANTS ARE REVOLTING 蚂蚁能搬山*  Well, at least factory owners in Shenzhen and Dongguanwould like you to think so this week. And yes, I apologize for the poor pun. Not far from here are two of China's new industrial cities. Shenzhen, like close neighbor Dongguan, has gorged itself on foreign factories, huge contracts from the likes of the Great Wallmart and Target, workers from the North of China, and a phenomenal supply chain that has made this province responsible for 1/3 of China's GNP. But, there has been trouble in paradise in recently. Bosses from Taiwan and Hong Kong have reportedly been less than kind to their mainland brethren. Japanese employers are considered the worst. They have complained of massive overtime without compensation, dangerous working conditions, environmental concerns and vile supervisors. Last year many workers who made the annual Spring trek home to the North to see their families simply did not return. Others staged strikes and sick-outs that forced factories to up the minimum wage and improve conditions. But, there is more to be done. I have been told by several workers that foreign bosses often hire ONLY northerners. They then separate those that are from the same provinces to prevent them from building alliances that might threaten production. It isn't working. This week about 3,000 Shenzhen workers from the Sui Fung furniture factory took to the streets to protest long hours and "inhumane treatment" by Hong Kong supervisors and owners. The workers tried to make it to a guest house where State leaders often stay, but police brought the march to a halt before they got that far. The workers have vowed to act out in other ways if their demands are not met. This in spite of the fact that they claim they have been beaten by security guards for complaints. There is no Clarence Darrow here to assist them, but the workers seem to be doing pretty well on their own. *Chinese Proverb: Ants can move even a mighty mountain. Chinese Asia China Blog Minimum Wage environment Workers Rights Cancer Zones Lonnie Hodge Shenzhen Dongguan South China Cartoons Cheap Labor Cartoons, Cagle.com Lonnie's China Blog is at Onemanbandwidth Blogger News Network is advertiser-supported, and your visits to our advertisers help BNN to meet its expenses. Help keep us afloat! posted by Lonnie at 3:55 AM |
Subscribe to BNN and get a daily bulletin of all our news postings. Interested in writing for BNN? Want information on our news service? Contact The Editor Writing for BNN BNN Editorial Policies Previous Posts
|
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home