Re: [Marxism] Former Shanghai CP chief sentenced for corruption

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

Walter Lippmann wrote:
> In addition to the news of more power for Chinese workers, which
> came about by GOVERNMENT decisiosn, not mainly due to militant
> trade union action, may signify that the PRC's government thinks
> it has gone too far in allowing private business an unrestricted
> ability to get away with what they want.

I have no idea what Walter means by "militant trade union action" since 
the only trade union in China is run by the government. That being said, 
there have been workers struggles for much of the past decade since 
China's period of "primitive accumulation" began. I have crossposted 
reports on those struggles from http://www.chinalaborwatch.org/. Here's 
a recent dispatch:

China Labor Watch: Dongguan Fuan Textile Mill Laying off Thousands of 
Workers

March 2nd, 2008

Recent news obtained by China Labor Watch (CLW). Dongguan Fuan Textile 
Mill, a textile factory located in Dongguan , China has begun 
large-scale layoffs. Evidently, approximately 3,395 workers will be laid 
off. According to eyewitnesses, on February 29th , more than one 
thousand workers have gathered in front of the local Chang'an Township 
office, demanding their employer to provide a reasonable compensation. 
On the other hand, Dongguan City Government has sent out four to five 
hundred police officers and anti-riot units along with more than dozen 
of police vehicles to the scene.

Dongguan Fuan Textile Mill is a branch of Hong Kong-based Fountain Set 
(Holdings) Limited. The factory mainly produces elastic knitted clothing 
such as T-shirts and athletic shirts for clients include Abercrombie & 
Fitch Co., Adidas, Eddie Bauer H oldings Inc., Gap Inc., Land's End 
Inc., Reebok, Target Corp., Tommy Hilfiger Corp., and Wal-Mart.

According to workers, the layoff was primarily due to the labor law 
established just this year. In order to cut down expenses, Fuan has 
prepared to relocate its production in other parts of China and cut down 
the number of its workers in Dongguan. However, unsatisfied with the 
compensation given by Fuan and suspect the fairness of their former 
employer' layoff policy, workers demanded the intervention of local 
labor bureau.

On the layoff notice sent by Fuan management and provided by workers 
prints, âWorker who was employed between April 2nd, 2002 to April 4th, 
2005, can receive 150 percent of the average monthly wage as 
compensation; Worker who was employed between April 2nd , 2000 to April 
1 st , 2002 can to receive 250 percent of the average monthly wage; 
Worker who was employed between April 2nd , 1998 to April 1st, 2000 can 
receive 350 percent of the average monthly wage.

Based on the notice above, workers who work at Fuan for eight years or 
more are only able to receive compensation equivalent to four month 
worth of wage, thus the primary cause of the incident.

According to the New Labor Contract Law, compensation should be given by 
the employer accordingly to the time worker has worked for. For 
instance, each year of employment is equivalent to one month of wage. 
Worker's working period over six months and below one year is also 
considered as one year of employment thus should be given compensation 
worth one month of wage. Moreover, worker whose working period is less 
than six months should be given half month of wage as compensation.

In accordance with the New Labor Law, workers who work eight years are 
entitled to receive compensation worth eight months of wage.

CLW calls out to the laid off Fuan workers to remain calm, comply with 
the existing Labor Law and pursue their rights through the local labor 
bureau or lawsuit.

Li Qiang, Executive Director of China Labor Watch states that this 
incident will determine whether the New Labor Law can be executed and 
Chinese government's level of compliance towards it. Chinese government 
is currently adjusting its economic approach, raising workers' wage as 
well as expanding the national needs.

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