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Chinese factories hit by strikes amid manufacturing slowdown

Adnan Faruqi

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Apr 16, 2011
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Chinese factories hit by strikes amid manufacturing slowdown

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Already facing a sharp slowdown, factories in China’s manufacturing heartland are now experiencing a rash of labor strikes reminiscent of the worker unrest that swept the country last year.

Thousands of workers at a massive shoe factory in the southern city of Dongguan marched to a local government office and clashed with police last week to protest the loss of overtime.


The strike at the plant owned by the Taiwanese Pou Chen Group came shortly after 18 managers were laid-off because of declining orders, according to the Economic Observer, a Chinese newspaper.

Earlier in the week, 1,000 workers walked out of a plant in nearby Shenzhen that manufactured computer keyboards for leading brands such as Apple and IBM. Employees said they were being forced to work excessive hours on weekdays so that owners didn’t have to pay overtime on Saturdays, as required by law. The company acquiesced after three days.

"People had to work so late, they couldn’t concentrate any longer," said Zhao Xiaobing, 38, a former employee. "They will have more strikes."

A day before in Shenzhen, 400 workers went on strike over a pay dispute at an underwear factory. Employees were reportedly denied fair wages and forced to meet unachievable production quotas, according to China Labor Watch, a New York-based workers’ advocacy group.

Two other strikes took place in October, one at a factory owned by Japanese watchmaker Citizen Holdings Co. in Shenzhen and at a furniture plant in Dongguan where employees were left unpaid after their boss disappeared.

"There are more protests because of the economy," said Li Qiang, director of China Labor Watch. "The management systems in factories are not suitable."

Official data released Thursday could show manufacturing contracting in November. The so-called purchasing managers index barely broke even in October.

Annual export growth rose 15.9% in October, down from 17.1% in September, largely because of diminishing orders from financially-troubled Europe.

Labor unrest spread across China the summer of 2010 as workers were galvanized by strikes at plants operated by Toyota, Honda and Foxconn, the world’s largest electronic components manufacturer.

Workers then were protesting low pay. Inflation was driving up the cost of living. Many provinces responded by boosting minimum wages. Independent unions, however, are still illegal.

It remains to be seen if the recent demonstrations will inspire others. Unlike in 2010, local governments and factory bosses may not be as willing to increase pay now that growth prospects appear grim in many foreign markets. China’s economy is also expected to taper, not only because of declining exports, but because of continued restrictions on the property market and limited options for fiscal stimulus.

"One difference between the recent strikes and last summers is that, as far as I can see, this time workers are not wining big victories" such as 50% wage increases, said Geoffrey Crothall, a spokesman for the Hong Kong-based workers’ rights group, China Labor Bulletin. "This means the domino effect of one successful strike inspiring another is not happening this time. There is a lot going on now and I think we might have to wait a while to see what kind of picture emerges."

Chinese factories hit by strikes amid manufacturing slowdown - latimes.com
 
Good job for the workers! stand up for your rights!

Also note that they're holding newspapers. In China, we educate our women so they can compete in the global economy. In India, 50% of women are illiterate.
 
china's growth is exported oriented and its showing signs of creaking.

china have already harvested its demographic benefits now its time to go downwards.
 
By the way i read on news paper two days ago that china going down rapidly.... i read that due to europe crisis china's export droped. From 9.1 percent growth china will drop to 8percent and would go further below then that.... Many people in china got jobless due to less demand of export.... This is what happens when a country depended on other countries (export).... Am glad india is different from china.... Our people is our strength....
 
@fairandunbiased which 'TANK' China will use this time around on its own people?....

now now we're not India which kills 6000 per day, without tanks. With tanks, in Operation Blue Star, India can kill a few thousand more.

Our workers have the right to strike to stand up for their rights. Indian farmers can only kill themselves by the thundreds of thousands. :cry:
 
now now we're not India which kills 6000 per day, without tanks. With tanks, in Operation Blue Star, India can kill a few thousand more.

Our workers have the right to strike to stand up for their rights. Indian farmers can only kill themselves by the thundreds of thousands. :cry:

r u joking???:undecided:

millions of people around india protested about 2-3 months ago!!! just for bringing Strong Lokpal bill!!! (anti-corruption bill)and not even a single one was beaten by d police during protest!!! :wave:

thank god people were indians and country was india!!

if d counter was china:china: then :guns::guns::sniper::suicide2:
 
now now we're not India which kills 6000 per day, without tanks. With tanks, in Operation Blue Star, India can kill a few thousand more.

Our workers have the right to strike to stand up for their rights. Indian farmers can only kill themselves by the thundreds of thousands. :cry:

Buddy...your'e stuck on the 1800's. Come back to the present.
 

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