China's workers take on the big brands as strikes and protests increase

29 March 2014

There has been a noticeable increase in strikes and protests in China since workers came back from the Lunar New Year Holiday in February. CLB has so far recorded more than 90 incidents on our strike map in March alone, but two incidents in particular, the strike at IBM and protests at three Walmart stores scheduled for closure, have gained international attention. March also saw the annual meeting of the national legislature in Beijing, at which several labour-related issues were raised, including demands for a fund to support workers with pneumoconiosis and suggestions to amend the Trade Union Law.

 

Walmart workers in China blockade store in protest at closure plan

Nearly 150 Walmart employees in the central Chinese city of Changde have staged, with the backing of their trade union chairman, a vigorous campaign against the forced closure of the store. Protests erupted at two other Walmart stores in China as well. Continue reading...

 

Shenzhen trade union seeks to help striking workers sacked by IBM

The municipal trade union in Shenzhen promised to help 20 worker representatives sacked during a ten-day strike at an IMB factory in Shenzhen. Workers were protesting the inadequate compensation offer made to employees prior to the sale of the business to Chinese computer maker Lenovo. Continue reading...

 

Labour activists propose new legal protection for worker representatives

A profile of the Sunflower Women Workers Centre in Guangzhou which initiated and carried out the sexual harassment survey. Continue reading...

 

More voices join call to set up fund for migrant workers with pneumoconiosis

Several delegates taking part in last week’s annual meetings of the National People’s Congress and its advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, have called on the government to do more for the estimated six million workers with pneumoconiosis in China. Continue reading...

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