(broadcast on 17 April, 2002)
On 15 and 16 April 2002, workers of several factories in Anshan city, Liaoning province demonstrated in front of the city government gate, demanding the government pay them their salaries in arrears. Someone called from Anshan city, from a telephone booth in front of the city government, to tell us about the situation.
Worker:
For the past few days, Ive seen groups of people in front of the city government building. Today, I saw workers from the Glass Factory. There was an old woman of about 60, kneeling in front of the city government gate. I asked what they were doing and they said that their salaries were in arrears for over 10 years. Such a big factory -- has all been dragged down by corrupt officials.
Han Dongfang:
Is it a big factory?
Worker:
According to them, it is very big. There were groups of people here yesterday too. They said they were from the Tiexi (Iron West) Chemical Fibre Factory. They were standing around in the courtyard in clusters. Yesterday there was one group; today there are over 100 people. They are still sitting here, a lot of old men and women, just about 30 metres from me.
This person has also told me that how Anshan city has started retrenching workers.
Worker:
There are lots of redundant workers in Anshan city now. The city government units started laying off people; the Anshan Iron & Steel is next; then one by one, all have taken up the retrenchment practice.
Han:
Does everybody agree to be retrenched, with compensation?
Worker:
How could anybody agree to it? They are all forced into it. They just give you the form to fill in; they dont care if you are young or old, once you filled in the form, it is done.
Han:
How much is the compensation for each year of service?
Worker:
377 yuan. It is standard. I havent heard that any of the units give more.
Han:
Has Anshan Iron & Steel started retrenchment?
Worker:
No, not yet.
One official from the Anshan city government confirmed that over 100 people gathered today in front of the city government gate.
Official:
They are all in front of the complaints department.
Han:
Can you see them from where you are?
Official:
Wait a second; Ill take a look for you. (He puts the phone down and goes away, then comes back.) Yes, I can. They are right by the door of the city party committee and the complaints department. Some are also sitting alongside the curb of the city government building, over 100 people.
A complaints department official said the collective petitioning was because of wage arrears.
Official:
Yesterday the workers of the Glass Factory came to petition, all because the wages are in arrears.
An Anshan Federation of Trade Unions (AFTU) official said, Liaoning was a pilot scheme spot in the national reform of social security system; and Anshan city was a pilot scheme spot in Liaoning province. Indeed, it resulted in a lot of workers collectively petitioning.
Official:
Liaoning was a pilot scheme spot in the national reform of social security system; Anshan city is a test case within the province. They are merging the [categories] of unemployed and laid-off or 'sent-home' workers.
Han:
Are workers dissatisfied with this process of merging?
AFTU:
For the time being, they arent. There is some collective petitioning in small groups, but nothing on a big scale yet.
This union official talked about what role the union should play in the reform of the social security system.
AFTU:
Our job is to assist the work of the city party committee and government, no matter whether it is about reforming the social security system or collective petitioning of workers as a result of it. Our job is to assist the work of the city party committee and government.
Han:
According to the trade union law, shouldnt the trade union represent the workers interest?
AFTU:
Represent the workers interest? But, if there is any problem, we have to assist the work of the city party committee and government.
Han:
Shouldnt you be assisting the workers to fight for their rights?
AFTU:
Fight for the workers rights? Yes, we have to fight. I say, I cannot talk about these things with you here.
Han:
Isnt this role a little
.
Official:
There is no problem! You just dont understand the Chinese trade union. The union has to represent the workers, but under the leadership of the party. You just dont understand the Chinese trade union.
Han:
But what do you do if in this new era, in the market economy, the interests of the party and the workers are not the same?
Official:
The union represents the workers interests, but the union wont lead the workers against the government. That wouldnt be the Chinese trade union! You just havent done your homework about the Chinese trade unions. There are things I just cannot say to you.
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