Daqing government departments hush up on workers’ action on June 4

(Broadcast on 4 June 2002)

Retrenched workers of the Daqing Petroleum Administration Bureau (PAB) are still holding street demonstrations one day before the sensitive 13th anniversary of the June 4 Tiananmen massacre. I called different departments at the PAB but not one of those who took my calls was willing to talk.

First I called the PAB guardroom:

Guard:

I don't really know.

Han Dongfang:

Are you not right at the entrance?

Guard:

We can’t see; we can’t see what’s happening outside.

Han:

I heard they blocked the road this morning at 7:30, didn’t they?

Guard:

Come and see it for yourself.

Han:

What?

Guard:

I said, come and see it for yourself.

After that, it was the PAB duty office:

Duty office:

I don’t know. We are working inside the room, we don’t have an idea what it is like outside.

Han:

Didn’t you see them on your way to work?

Worker:

Er, at that time there was nobody there yet.

Han:

And now, is anybody there now?

Worker:

Our windows don’t look onto where they are.

One trade union official of the PAB told me that the trade union has specially established a stabilising group, to work on the stabilisation of the enterprise.

Union:

You should call the information and complaints bureau. Call the complaints bureau, there is only one office which deals with the public.

Han:

I would just like to enquire, is the trade union doing anything to help the retrenched workers?

Union:

We are actively trying to find a way.

Han:

What have you done so far?

Union:

We have established a stabilising group.

Han:

Stabilising group?

Union:

Yes.

Han:

What is their duty?

Union:

They persuade (the workers), ensure stability!

Han:

They say that seven thousand people blocked the road today. Is that right?

Union:

I don’t know, I didn’t see it. Anyhow you look at it, there can’t be any. It is impossible, it’s just rumour.

The PAB information and complaint bureau said they "didn’t have a clear idea” about the retrenched workers demonstrating in front of their bureau.

Complaint bureau:

I don’t know, what do you mean?

Han:

I would like to know…the workers say, that they don’t even have a chance to negotiate now. That is to say, the enterprise doesn’t pay any attention to the workers. Is this true?

Complaint bureau:

It’s not true. But I give you a telephone number; ask the party publicity bureau on xxxxx (telephone number.) I haven’t been out at all, I don’t know.

Finally the party publicity bureau told me, they have no authority to talk about this event.

Publicity bureau:

We don’t know about this.

Han:

The complaint bureau said you would know.

Publicity bureau :

We have no authority to explain this.

Han:

Didn’t they start at 7:30?

Publicity bureau :

I don’t know. We are not able to supply any information about this to you.

Han:

Why? You can’t say it, or why else?

Publicity bureau :

I…we think….This…If I don’t know, then I just don’t know!

Han:

So did this happen today?

Publicity bureau

I don’t know about this event.

Han:

Well, can’t you just say as much as “yes” or “no”?

Publicity bureau :

I can’t say!

Han:

Isn’t it so that today…

Publicity bureau :

We said the same thing in the press release about this; we didn’t say anything….you can directly what…..we don’t have the authority!

Han:

So nobody turned up today, right?

Publicity bureau:

I don’t know.

Han:

Are there people there then?

Publicity bureau :

I don’t know if there are any people there, I didn’t see.

Han:

Well, then I won’t make it any more difficult for you..

Publicity bureau :

Okay, that’s good.

Han:

Bye.