Protests in China double due to economic slowdown, rising expectations
Labour unrest in China more than doubled last year, driven by an economic slowdown, rising wage expectations and labour rights, concerns over threats to public health the nation's social safety net. Hong Kong's China Labor Bulletin reported more than 2,700 strikes and protests last year, with strife intensifying in recent months. Just this weekend, around 3,000 police officers confronted 10,000 people in the town of Lubu in southern China protesting over air and water pollution, when the demonstration turned violent and government offices were broken into.

These factory workers in Southern China are fighting for labor rights. For inspiration they look to an unlikely source: Kentucky coal miners. 00:13:41 -00:13:59 We want to let them know how foreign workers’ organize, demonstrate and negotiate. The workers were brought here together by this man, Wu Guijin, a former factory worker turned labor activist. TITLE: In China, A Surge in Strikes 00:19:21 -00:19:28 Chinese workers’ rights have always been bad. 00:19:28 -00:19:38 But now, especially during these years of economic downturn, the situation is getting worse and worse. In 2013, Mr. Wu participated in a strike at a furniture factory. But China can be a dangerous place for those that step up to the establishment. 00:06:17 -00:06:21 I was accused of gathering crowds to disturb traffic order. 00:02:53 - 00:03:02 Because I safeguarded rights with my workmates collectively, I was put into prison for more than one year. 00:03:02 - 00:03:06 Now I am released. I am helping with workers. 00:20:30 -00:20:38 In my opinion, Chinese workers are some of the best in the world. 00:20:38 -00:20:43 And generally speaking, they work hard and can bear hardship without any complaints. 00:20:43 -00:20:49 They will not protest until they have no —- alternative. PART II Geoffrey Crothall, China Labour Bulletin They are supposed to get pensions, social insurance. They are supposed to get severance pay when they are laid off. These fundamental labor rights are being denied to them. And the only thing they can do in the situation is (to) take collective action The government refuses to help or just tries brush them off. And in many cases, they have no option but to resort to these very extreme measures, such as climbing to a lot of buildings, threatening to jump or even taking much more violent measures Across China, the frequency of worker strikes and demonstrations has more than doubled from a year ago. There is clearly a very obvious correlation in the number of protests that we are seeing in relation to the economic distress clearly evident throughout the country. So at the moment the picture not at all optimistic. PART THREE Lunch with Workers These workers toiled in a foreign owned textile factory until recently. When the factory decided to relocate to a more affordable location, worker’s pensions started to disappear. Mr. Wu is helping the workers file suit in a local court. Mr. Wu Why did they relocate the factory? Where will it go? And what happen happened to the workers employment duration after relocation? Would there be any change to the salary? They demanded an explanation. 169 00:00:40-00:00:45 red vest: We have been working in this factory for 17, 18 years, but they only paid for our 11 years’ social insurance. •• 170 00:01:40-00:01:47[crying] black: I don’t think we will win because the government was helping when we were trying to defend our rights. 00:01:47-00:02:02 black: Now in the legal process, they won’t help us; if they help us, the government will lose face. 00:02:02-00:02:15 black: But we are trying to do what we can, to set an example for younger workers, to fight for our rights. Mr. Wu Workers have awoken. Many enterprises are transforming and relocating. Workers have to face problems like finding new employment or retirement problems, and especially getting their outstanding wages. All of these things invoke their motivation to take some action. PART FOUR Part Five - back to beginning 00:05:21 -00:05:24 America was not born good. 00:05:25 -00:05:30 America used to be awful. It became what it is by protesting. As factories continue to close and labor disputes continue to rise, social stability across China’s factory landscape has become a concern. 00:05:34 -00:05:38 People will die in China’s future revolution. 00:05:38 -00:05:41 Many people do not believe this, but I think it must happen. And while labor activists like Mr Wu aim to help those who are most vulnerable, the government has been making his job increasingly difficult — and increasingly dangerous. OUTRO Labour Expert Dude Now, the political situation is much tougher. The key difference I think is the current administration is taking much time offline on civil society Those labor rights groups now are the target of a very vicious crackdown. Several have been arrested and are facing charges in Guangzhou currently. Labor Activist 00:53:15 -00:53:23 For now, the situation is very intense but we are still doing it. 00:53:23 -00:53:43 If I get arrested or go missing, I will not regret it, as long as I do right by my own conscience.