On 24 July more than one hundred agency workers representing over 3,000 agency workers at oil fields across the county gathered at the Shaanxi Yanchang petroleum headquarters demanding equal pay.
The workers have served at the company for around a decade, but still received entry level low pay and a lack of benefits. In an open letter to the company, workers reported that full employees received around 5,000 yuan a month while agency workers only 2,000 yuan. In addition, agency workers reported the lowest bonuses and performance pay rates. Moreover, agency workers worked longer hours, but never received any overtime pay.
Workers held banners at the company headquarters and demanded a response from the company, but were met with police. Minor clashes ensued.