News | China Labour Bulletin

New report shows little improvement in the lives of migrant workers’ children in China

The Chinese government has implemented a whole raft of policies over the last decade to improve the lives of migrant workers’ children. However, a new survey published by the All-China Women’s Federation shows that between 2005 and 2010, the numbers of left-behind children and migrant children in the cities both increased, while the long-standing issues of separation, loneliness and vulnerability, as well as the lack of access to decent education, healthcare and social services remained largely unresolved.

Sex workers in China failed by the state and society

The sex industry in China has grown rapidly over the last two decades and there are now an estimated four to six million sex workers in the country. However, they are all too often demonised by society as immoral and diseased. They are abused by clients and police alike and subject to arbitrary fines and detention for up to two years. Photograph of hair salon in Shenzhen by dcmaster available at flicr.com under a creative commons licence.

At least 40 coal miners killed in two explosions in China over weekend

Two explosions at coal mines in southwest China over the weekend have left 40 miners dead and dozens injured, official media reported.

Strikes and worker protests in China’s service sector on the increase

More than half the strikes and worker protests recorded by CLB last month occurred in the service sector, with protests by transport workers being particularly prevalent. A total of 45 protests were recorded on CLB’s strike map in April, about the same level as in March. There were 27 incidents in the service sector and 17 of those were in transport. Photograph of worker protest outside Yamada store in Jiangsu.

China’s workers continue to demand higher pay

Despite a sharp drop in inflation last month, workers’ demands for higher pay were still the biggest single cause of the 50 strikes and protests recorded on CLB’s strike map in March. Photograph by W PeacePlusOne available at flickr.com under a creative commons licence.

Bus drivers imprisoned in Singapore for staging strike deported back to China

He Junling, who was sentenced to seven weeks in jail by a Singapore court last month for inciting Chinese bus drivers to go on strike for higher pay and better living conditions, was deported back to China on 31 March.

More than 80 killed in Tibet mine disaster

The Chinese authorities have confirmed that there is little chance any of the 83 workers buried during a massive mudslide at a Tibetan gold mine on 29 March will be found alive. Only 11 bodies have so far been recovered after three days of searching in inhospitable conditions, official news reports said.

Nanhai Honda workers get pay increase after one day strike

Management at the Nanhai Honda automotive plant, scene of a groundbreaking strike in the summer of 2010, has agreed to a better pay deal for junior workers after around 100 production line workers went out on strike on 18 March. Photograph by \!/_PeacePlusOne available at flickr.com under a creative commons license.

Nanhai Honda workers strike in protest at pay offer

Around 100 production line workers at the Nanhai Honda automotive plant, scene of a groundbreaking strike in the summer of 2010, staged another strike on the evening of 18 March after management and the trade union announced a new pay deal, workers told CLB.

Shenzhen workers demand ouster of trade union chairman after “model election”

Employees at the Shenzhen electronics factory that just nine months ago held democratic trade union elections have demanded the ouster of the union chairman and new elections to choose a representative who will defend their interests more forcefully. Photograph of Ohms workers at factory gate from Yangcheng Evening News.

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