Associated Press reports on detention of Xianyang workers

02 November 2004
China Labour Bulletin appears in the following article. Copyright remains with the original publisher.


STRIKE ENDS AT CHINESE TEXTILE

Associated Press

1 November 2004

A nearly seven-week strike by about 7,000 workers at a textile mill in northern China has ended after the factory's Hong Kong managers agreed to improve employment conditions, a labor monitoring group said Monday.

More than 20 worker organizers have been detained in recent days over the almost seven-week strike at the Huarun Xianyang factory in Shaanxi province, and wanted notices have been issued for three others, Hong Kong-based China Labor Bulletin reported.

Workers, most of them women, launched the strike on Sept. 14 over demands by the formerly state-owned plant's new majority shareholders that they sign short-term labor contracts reducing their wages and eliminating seniority.

Workers also wanted to elect their own union officials, rejecting leaders appointed by the sole official All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the group said.

Management from Hong Kong conglomerate China Resources agreed to eliminate a six-month probationary period and allow longer contracts, but rejected demands for other forms of compensation, it said.

About 200 workers who were manning a sit-in at the factory's gates were rounded up but most released, it said.

Labor protests have grown widespread in China as the government moves to sell-off or close money losing state factories. The government resolves most by agreeing to some demands while arresting protest leaders.

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