Asian Labour News

China: Death toll rises to 15 in Zhejiang fire disaster

"Rescue workers found in the debris the dead bodies of the five people who had been missing after a major fire in Pingyang County of east China's Zhejiang Province late on Wednesday."

China: Sichuan coal mine accident kills four, injures four

"An accidental blast took place Tuesday in southwest China's Sichuan Province, leaving four dead and four others injured."

China: 4 die, 2 missing in Liaoning coal mine blast

"Four people died and two others were missing in a coal mine blast Tuesday in northeast China's Liaoning Province, sources with the provincial department on the supervision of coal mine safety said Wednesday."

China: Death toll of Guizhou coal mine accident rises to 10 [update 4]

Related stories here.

"Another two bodies were retrieved Monday in the collapsed coal mine in the southern province of Guizhou, increasing the death toll to ten, while nine other still missing."

China: Coal mine accidents claim 86 lives in Jiangxi in first half of year

"Coal mine accidents claimed 86 lives during the first half of this year in east China's Jiangxi Province despite intensified production security measures, according to the supervision bureau in the province."

China: Casualties of chemical plant blast rise to 12 [update 1]

Related stories here.

"The death toll of the chemical plant explosion in central China's Henan province Wednesday morning has risen to four and the number of injuries increased to eight."

China: 11 persons responsible for unreported coal mine accident in Shanxi detained

This coal mine flood occurred at 10 pm on 7 June 2004 at the Xianghe Coal Mine in Zezhou County, Shanxi. The flooding caused 2 deaths. However, the company management did not report the accident to the related departments until the case was uncovered. On 17 June, the government received a report of the case from the public and a committee was set up to investigate. On 19 July, 11 persons responsible were detained. 1 of them was prosecuted, 3 of them were fined, and the others were punished.

Source: "Shanxi diaocha yiqi meikuang manbao shigu 11 min zeren ren bei chachu [11 persons responsible for unreported coal mine accident in Shanxi detained]," Xinhua, 29 July 2004.

China: Chemical factory explosion in Henan kills 4, injures 2

At 11 am on 28 July 2004, an explosion in a chemical factory in Yuanyang County, Henan, killed 4 and injured 2. The factory was owned by the Xinxiang Suoyuan Chemical Engineering Company, a private enterprise. Rescue work continues at the site of accident.

Source: "Henan yuanyang yijia huagongchan baozha zaocheng 4 ren siwang 2 ren shoushang [Chemical factory explosion in Henan kills 4, injures 2]," Xinhua, 29 July 2004.

China: Peasants are the main victims of workplace accidents in Hunan

The number of deaths and injuries in the workplace decreased in the first half of 2004. Accidents in county and township coal mines accounted for 77.36% of all mine accidents across Hunan. Non-mine accidents in country and township enterprises constituted 90.32% of the total number of non-mine accidents in Hunan. Most of the victims are peasants. The reason for the high number is that there are many potentially dangerous industries, such as coal mining, dangerous chemicals and fireworks in Hunan. Most of them are located in villages. In Hunan, there are 2,060 coal mining companies, 5,961 mining companies, 10,900 chemicals companies and 10,358 fireworks companies.

Source: "Nongmin reng shi hunan anquan shenchan shigu zuida de shouhaizhe [Peasants are the main victims of workplace accidents in Hunan]," Xinhua, 29 July 2004.

China: Fireman dies from injuries sustained in Fujian fire [update 1]

Related story here.

A fireman has died from injuries sustained in a fire at a mosquito coil factory in Yongan, Fujian on 26 July. He was a member of the factory rescue team. The investigation team said the accident occurred due to the building's age and construction materials that could not withstand high temperatures.

Source: "Fujian yongan huozai: yi xiaofan zhanshi xunzhi you shiji ren shoushang [Fireman dies from injuries sustained in Fujian fire]," Haixia dushi bao [Strait News], 29 July 2004.

Malaysia: Probe death threat claim against witness in Nirmala’s case

Related stories here. The story below provides some more information on the issue I raised earlier today. Note that Nirmala's cousin is just 16, or nine years under the legal age for employment as a foreign domestic helper in Malaysia.

"An Indonesian labour non-governmental group has called on Malaysian police to investigate the claim that a key witness in the Nirmala Bonat case had been threatened against testifying in favour of accused Yim Pek Har."

Hong Kong/Indonesia: The life of a migrant worker

Most stories we read about domestic workers in Hong Kong are by outsiders; i.e., journalists, academics, activists in NGOs, and others. The posting below is different. Dewi - an Indonesian migrant worker - submitted it yesterday specifically for publication on this site.

Life of a migrant

Although migrant workers in Hong Kong are commonly stereotyped as domestic helpers, they hold many kinds of jobs like construction workers, gardeners, drivers, etc. However it's true that among foreign workers in Hong Kong the greatest proportion are domestic helpers. Most come from different nations such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, and Nepal. Currently, Filipino migrant workers are the dominant group, representing 58% of the whole foreign domestic helper population. The second largest group is from Indonesia, representing 38 %. Thais represent 2.5 %.

Philippines/Vietnam: Taiwanese boss flees, leaves 79 migrant workers without electricity and water for 1 month

Via the Taiwan Migrants' Forum comes the story of a factory boss in Taoyuan County, Taiwan, who fled his bankrupt factory, leaving 79 female migrant workers from the Philippines and Vietnam in their dormitory without electricity and water for a month. Original story in Chinese.

Source: "The boss ran away, 79 female migrant workers living without electricity and water for one month," Taiwan Migrants' Forum, 29 July 2004.

Malaysia/Indonesia: 'If you help the Malaysian, you'll die'

Related stories here.

The trial of Malaysian housewife Yim Pek Ha, who is accused of causing grievous hurt to her Indonesian maid Nirmala Bonat, started this week and is already mired in sensation. First, the trial has been postponed to September and October due to Yim's admittance to the intensive care unit of a private hospital for acute asthma and high blood pressure. Second, and perhaps more sensationally, are reports in the Chinese press in Malaysia that Nirmala's cousin, Fermina Anunut (who may be called to testify that Nirmala is suffering from psychological problems that manifest in self mutilation), has been told she may die if she presents evidence that could lead to Yim's acquital.

Malaysia: Maid abuse trial postponed to September

Related stories here.

"The trial of housewife Yim Pek Ha, who is accused of causing grievous hurt to maid Nirmala Bonat, has been postponed to September and October."

Singapore: Labour chief seeks way to reclaim jobs

"Laobur chief Lim Boon Heng suggested on Tuesday tweaking the number of foreign workers allowed in the domestic services sector so employers would be encouraged to hire more Singaporeans instead."

Malaysia: Arrest warrant issued against maid abuser

"A businesswoman who pleaded guilty to hurting her Indonesian maid was issued with a warrant of arrest when she failed to turn up for sentencing yesterday."

Malaysia: Union calls for 2.8% wage increase for plantation workers

"Plantation workers' salaries should be revised by just 2.8% or no more than two-thirds of the increase in the Consumer Price Index, the Malaysian Agricultural Producers Association (Mapa) said."

Malaysia: Stop ‘exploiting’ foreign workers, factories told

"Stop taking in foreign workers through agents or face stern government action, Home Minister Datuk Azmi Khalid warned factories."

Malaysia: Maid finds sewing workshop tough but useful

"Indonesian maid Darmi Joyo Sayat could hardly contain her excitement when her employers suggested she take part in The Star Learning Skills 2004 – The Exciting World of Sewing workshop."

Malaysia: Huge turnout in Perak - Workers call for Minimum Wage Act!

I received this by email yesterday.

"Yes ! shouted a thousand voices as the 4th. Factory Workers Solidarity Gathering in Ipoh unleashed the demands of the Industrial workers affiliated to the Coalition of the Oppressed People (JERIT)."

Singapore: Port Authority to hire Burmese workers

"Electricians, container drivers, and mechanics are in demand from the Port of Singapore Authority, which will hire 160 Myanmar workers to start work in October."

Malaysia: Fong says less job security in future

"Unions and employees had to accept that job security would be a thing of the past and a productivity-linked wage system would be the norm which were the realities of globalisation, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn."

Indonesia: Govt announces readiness for deported workers from Malaysia

"The government is ready for the deportation of about 600,000 illegal Indonesian workers from Malaysia, Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea said on Wednesday."

Indonesia: Jamsostek eyes informal workers

"Amid regional autonomy, state-owned PT Jamsostek has begun forging cooperation with regions to enlarge the coverage of the social security scheme not only for workers in the formal sector but also for those employed in the informal sector."

Indonesia: Remittances from migrant workers up

"Indonesia's remittances from migrant workers employed overseas significantly increased in the first quarter of this year due to the reemergence of employment opportunities in a number of countries."

Philippines: Factories cut production

"Factory production fell for the ninth month in a row last May as manufacturers battled rising production costs, changing world trade rules, and political uncertainties."

Asia: World union leaders seek emergency forum on textile trade

"As trade negotiators began a marathon high-stakes discussion at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva on 27 July, the world’s largest trade union body the ICFTU, jointly with the Paris-based TUAC and the ITGLWF representing textiles and clothing workers, criticized the WTO negotiations for ignoring the worsening impact of trade on peoples’ lives and working conditions around the world."

China: 48 people poisoned in Shanghai chlorine leak [update 1]

Related story here.

At 12 pm on 27 July 2004, 200 kg of liquefied chlorine gas leaked when the pipe, connecting a tanker and gas tank broke in Pudong, Shanghai. 48 residents and workers inhaled the toxic gas and were sent to hospital for observation. 10 of them required additional medical care, 4 of whom were children.

Source: "Hu yi yelu cao che fasheng luqi xielou shigu 48 ren zhongdu [48 people poisoned in Shanghai chlorine leak]," Xinhua, 28 July 2004.

China: Chlorine leak in Shanghai chemical factory

At 1 pm on 27 July 2004, a chlorine leak at a chemical factory in Pudong, Shanghai, poisoned 30 to 40 people, 2 of them seriously. The accident was caused by a pipe bursting during the transfer of chorine gas.

Souce: "Shanghai yijia huagongchan fasheng luqi xielou duo ren zhongdu [Chlorine leak in Shanghai chemical factory]," Xinhua, 28 July 2004.

China: 15 firemen injured in conflagration at Fujian mosquito coil factory

An idea of how hot mosquito coils burn can be gleaned by the state of the fireman's trousers, or lack thereof, far left.

At 3 pm on 26 July 2004, a fire broke out in a mosquito coil factory located in Yongan City, Fujian. As firefighters battled the blaze, the roof of the factory collapsed and 15 fireman were injured, 12 of them seriously. It took an hour to bring the fire under control. The cause of the accident is unknown, but the factory had ceased production more than 2 months ago.

Source: "Fujian yongan shi wenxiangchang qi huo 15 ming jiuhuo renyuan shoushang [15 firemen injured in conflagration at Fujian mosquito coil factory]," Xinhua, 27 July 2004.

China: Coal mine gas accident in Sichuan kills 3

At 1 pm on 25 July 2004, 3 people died in the Yanxing Coal Mine in Xuanhan County, Sichuan. Their deaths were due to an excess amount of coal gas in the mine leading to asphyxia. The accident is under investigation.

Source: "Sichuan Yanxing meikuang fasheng wasi zhixi shigu zaocheng 3 ren siwang [Coal mine gas accident in Sichuan kills 3]," Xinhua, 27 July 2004.

China: Tanker carrying sulfuric acid overturns in Henan, kills 1, injures 5

At 1 pm on 26 July 2004, a tanker containing 4 tons of sulfuric acid capsized in Luoyang City, Henan. 4 tons of sulfuric acid leaked from the damaged tank and caused 1 death and 5 injuries. The injuried were sent to hospital. The accident was caused by a collision between the truck and a tractor.

Source: "Luoyang fazheng liusuan yunshuche qingfan shigu zaocheng 1 si 5 shang [Tanker carrying sulfuric acid overturns in Henan, kills 1, injures 5]," Xinhua, 27 July 2004.

Malaysia: Report highlights abuse of Indonesian maids

"In its 51 interviews with Indonesian domestic workers still living in Malaysia as well as those who have returned home, Human Rights Watch found that the workers faced exploitation and abuse at every step of the migration process, largely because legal biases allowed them to be treated as second-class humans." [HRW report here]

China: Hebei government promulgates documents to prevent SOE violations of labour rights]

The Hebei Federation of Trade Unions and other government departments have promulgated a document to prevent and correct violations of labour rights during the process of reforming state-owned enterprises. The document has 5 parts with 26 items. Labour rights are stated clearly.

Source: "Hebie xia fa wenjian fanzhi guoye gaizhi qinfan zhigong quanyi [Hebei government promulgates documents to prevent SOE violations of labour rights]," Gongren ribao [Worker's Daily], 26 July 2004.

China: SA8000 requires positive attitude

"Xia Yueming, president of Zhejiang-based Mishuai Apparel Co, is basking in an increasing number of international orders since his private company passed SA8000 (Social Accountability 8000) certification."

China: Shenzhen provides 580,000 migrant workers with technical training

There are 1.3 million technical personnel in Shenzhen, of which 580,000 are migrant workers. In the last year, about 900,000 migrants were provided with technical training in Shenzhen. The government encourages migrant workers to upgrade their skills. One method of encouragement is that migrant workers who attain a high technical qualification and are subsequently employed as senior technical staff, can obtain residency in Shenzhen.

Source: "Shenzhen zheye peixun zao jiu 58 wan 'nongmin jigong' [Shenzhen provides 580,000 migrant workers with technical training]," Gongren ribao [Worker's Daily], 27 July 2004.

China: Beijing to establish rescue centre for workplace safety

On 22 July 2004, Beijing announced it would develop a rescue centre for workplace safety, mining and dangerous chemicals. Specialised rescue teams for construction and chemical accidents will be set up and given specialized training. The aim is to decrease accidents in workplace.

Source: "Beijing jiang jian shengchan anquan jiuyuan jidi [Beijing to establish rescue centre for safety production]," Xinhua, 23 July 2004.

Malaysia: Blacklist ‘ports of convenience’

"Malaysian ports that do not meet certain employment conditions risk being blacklisted by ships and workers union in future."

China: Fire accidents for first half of the year increase compared with same time last year

On 23 July 2004, the Ministry of Public Security announced that there were 156,000 fire accidents in the first half of 2004, which caused 1,607 deaths, 1,653 injuries and 830 million yuan in losses. There was a 9.7% increase in the number of fire accidents, a 15.4% and 4.5% increase in number of deaths and injuries, but a 1.5% decrease in economic loss.

Source: "Gonganbu tongbao: jinshang bannian quanguo huozai tongqi bi you zeng wujian [Fire accidents for first half of the year increase compared with same time last year]," Xinhua, 24 July 2004.

China: 2 coal mine accident cover-ups exposed in Beijing

The Beijing Administration of Coal Mine Safety has uncovered 2 coal mine accidents for which no reports were lodged:

1. An explosion at Anling Coal Mine in Jinjitai, Beijing, killed 1 on 17 May 2004

2. A coal mine accident caused 2 deaths in Baicaitao Coal Mine in Qingshui Township, Mentougou on 4 October 2003.

Neither case was not reported to the Administration, which obtained through newspaper and reports from the public.

Source: "Beijing puguang liang qi meikuang yinman shigu shigu meikuang tingchan zhengdun [2 coal mine accident cover-ups exposed in Beijing]," Xinhua, 24 July 2004.

China: 20,000 evacuated in Jilin chlorine gas leak

At 5am on 23 July 2004, chlorine gas leaked from a water factory in Ganan County, Jilin. Nearly 20,000 residents were evacuated and the water supply for 8,000 household was suspended for 10 hours. 2 people were poisoned and sent to hospital. Factory management said equipment was over 20 years old.

Source: "Jilin ganan fasheng luqi xielou shigu 2 wan qunzhong bei jinji shusan [20,000 evacuated in Jilin chlorine gas leak]," Xinhua, 24 July 2004.

China: 60-ton leak of sulphuric acid in Dujiang City, Jiangsu

At 8am on 25 July 2004, a connecting pipe to a tank ruptured and resulted in a 60-ton leakage of sulphuric acid in Dujiang City, Jiangsu. The toxic acid transformed into gas and formed a cloud causing officials evacuate nearly 400 hundreds households in the immediate vicinity. Police allowed residents to return 15 hours later after the accident.

Source: "Jiangsu sheng Jiangdu shi fasheng 60 dun du liusuan xielou shigu [60-ton leak of sulphuric acid in Dujiang City, Jiangsu]," Xinhua, 26 July 2004.

China: Serious accident in Hunan coal mine kills 16

At 5pm on 26 July 2004, a gas explosion in a Lianyuan City coal mine at Pingan Township, Hunan, killed 16. The government has stated that the mine is illegal and had been asked to stop production.

Source: "Hunan lianyuanshi yi meikuang fasheng teda meinan zaocheng 16 ren siwang [Serious accident in Hunan coal mine kills 16]," Xinhua, 27 July 2004.

China: Poor food monitoring allows carcinogenic 'labourer grain (mingong liang)' onto the market

A new type of rice called 'labourer grain' (mingong liang) has appeared on the Chinese market. It is very popular due to its low price. As the boss of one company told the reporter, he saves 5,000 yuan every month by feeding this rice to his labourers. However, the rice is cheap because it is old, of poor quality, and consists of carcinogenic compounds. According to the government, it cannot be sold for human consumption. Despite this, labourer grain has been sold to factories, construction sites, universities and food production factories. Some labourer grain has even been obtained from a state-owned food warehouse. The government has sent 6 investigation teams to determine who is responsible for releasing labourer grain into the market.

Source: "Shiwu guan cun loudong [mingongliang] duo chi ke zhiai [Poor food monitoring allows carcinogenic 'labourer grain (mingong liang)' onto the market]," Nanfang dushi bao [Southern Metro Daily], 14 July 2004.

Indonesia: World Bank projects abuse labourers

"A recent study conducted by the Asian Labor Network on International Financial Institution (ALNI) has shown that a number of ongoing projects financed by the World Bank in Bali, infringe on core labor standards."

China: Trade unions for migrant workers should be established to protect rights

The shortage of workers in many places has rung alarm bells for the government and enterprises on the issue of workers' rights. The government is seeking to encourage more rural migrants to take up jobs in enterprises to solve the shortage. However, because of violations of worker rights, migrant workers are deciding to return home to farm rather than working in factories. Over the past ten years, China's economy rapidly developed but the salary for migrant workers remains the same. In order to provide a stable labour supply, the rights of migrant workers must be protected. One example of how this could be achieved is the establishment of the first trade union for peasant workers in Shenyang City. By June, there were 4,500 members. The union has had to fight for about 350,000 yuan in back pay for 100 workers.

Source: "Zuzhi nongmingong gonghu baozhang nongmingong quanli [Trade unions for migrant workers should be established to protect rights]," Nanfang dushi bao [Southern Metropolitan Daily]," 16 July 2004.

China: Worker treated badly on African fishing boat

Wang Shixiang was an employee of the Henan Nanyang International Economic Co-operation Company (a subsidiary of the Nanyang Municipal Bureau of Commerce) who was sent overseas to work in the fishing industry. His contract stipulated a monthly wage of US$ 140, to be paid at the end of the three-year contract. He was to receive no wages during the period, despite paying a 2,900 yuan training fee to the company before being sent overseas. He worked 18 hours per day and the captain and others beat him if he failed to obey orders. When his fingers were cut at work, the captain forced him to sign an agreement stating that on the injury was not an occupational accident. Wang escaped on 14 May 2004 and, after returning home, received treatment for his injured fingers and other problems costing him and his family 10,000 yuan. The company has only provided Wang with 3,000 yuan in compensation and asked him to end his employment contract. His family is too poor to appeal to the court.

Source: "Zhonggguo laodong la nan feizhou yuchaun [Chinese worker treated badly on African fishing boat]," Fazhi wanbao [Legal Evening News], 09 July 2004.

China: 0/134 companies in Hubei have signed employment contracts with employees

The Labour Department in Suizhou City, Hubei, recently selected 134 companies for random checks on employment contracts. The companies collectively employed 2,345 workers. Not a single company had signed employment contracts with workers or paid mandatory social security fees. There are two main reasons for this situation. First, employers are afraid to raise the cost of production by paying insurance fees. Second, if workers ask employers to sign a contract, they could be fired.

Source: "Hubei suizhou diaocha: 134 jua qiye wu yi qa laodong hetong [134 companies checked in Suizhou, Hubei, do not have employment contracts with employees]," Gongren ribao [Worker's Daily], 16 July 2004. (Via China Labour Bulletin).

China: 100,000 peasant workers earn living from both farm and factory in Henan

There are about 108 thousand peasant workers who work on both their farms and in enterprises in Qinyang City, Henan. In order to protect their livelihood, the Labour Department has invested 484 thousand yuan into an employment centre for job seeking, training and information provision. The average income of peasant workers for the first half of 2004 is 1,469 yuan, of which wages from the workplace constitute 50.7%.

Source: "Henan qinyang shiwu wan nongmin 'nonggong liang qi' [100 thousand peasant workers earn living from both farm and factory work in Qinyang City, Henan]," Gongren ribao [Worker's Daily], 16 July 2004. (Via China Labour Bulletin).

China/Hong Kong: Protest over 'poisoning' of battery workers [update 1]

See related stories here.

"A scuffle broke out yesterday when more than 40 representatives of labour and human rights groups stormed the headquarters of GP Batteries. The protesters were railing against the company's alleged violation of workers' rights in Huizhou, Guangdong."

China: More than 100 people suffer from cadmium poisoning in Huizhou battery enterprise

I've been hearing stories about this case for a while now, but had seen nothing in the media.

Since the middle of June 2004, about 100 workers have been poisoned by cadmium in the Chaoba Battery Factory in Huizhou. Most of the poisoned workers have been sent to hospital. Workers at the factory have been fighting the company to pay their medical fees and salary. However, many workers have been forced to leave hospital and return to work even though they are not completely recovered.

Source: "Huizhou yi qiye yubairen ge zhongdu [More than 100 people suffer from cadmium poisoning in Huizhou battery enterprise]," Ming Pao, 18 July 2004. (Via China Labour Bulletin).

China: Mine owners in Jincheng City earn 5 million per year; villagers earn just 500

This long story relates problems arising between villages and private coal mining companies over mine ownership. Private companies that win contracts to mine on village land can make enormous profits, while local villagers earn a pittance as miners. The article describes court battles over ownership, and several attacks in Jincheng City, Shanxi, by peasants frustrated over the lack of benefits received.

Source: "Jincheng: Meikuang laoban renjun nian shouru 500 wan pinkun nongmin 500 yuan [Mine owners in Jincheng City earn 5 million per year; villagers earn just 500]," Zhongguo qingnian bao [China Youth Daily], 16 July 2004. (Via China Labour Bulletin).

Philippines: Daughter of Filipino worker in Iraq requests information on conditions in Camp Anaconda [update]

Some of you might recall I made a request here for help with regards a young woman from the Philippines in tracking down her father in Camp Anaconda in Iraq. The good news is that I received a message from Cory this morning to tell me that a person visiting this site has been able to help her out. My heartfelt thanks to Debbie and to her friend R. My thanks also to Simon who plugged this request on his site (and from where I think Debbie found me).

Cory wrote:

Hi there Stephen!! I already received a message from Debbie's friend R. in Camp Anaconda. He said that the camp is totally safe. He asked for my father's name and he said that he is willing to provide a phonecard for my father to be able to contact us. It is quite hard to purchase one in Anaconda. Thanks a lot! God bless you all!!

Cory's dad is a generator mechanic, and one of the many Filipinos who leave home to provide a better life for their families. Although GMA has pulled the country's forces out of Iraq, many non-military personnel - like Mr Cruz - will stay on to earn a living.

Singapore: MOM will tighten the noose on errant bosses

"Things may get better for migrant workers owed wages by their Singaporean employers."

Singapore: Jail and cane them...

"Jail them and cane them. That's how one union leader thinks employers who don't pay their workers should be dealt with."

Thailand: Restrictions eased for migrant workers

"Registration for Thailand’s alien workers just got easier. The Thai Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare announced on Wednesday that illegal migrants no longer need their employers or landlords to accompany workers to district offices to fill out the registration forms."

Malaysia: Most practise safe sex, but sex workers will forgo condom for a price

"The Majority of sex workers say they practise safe sex but will forgo condoms if the price was right, according to a survey."

Malaysia: Plan to cover foreign labour more adequately

"The Government will come up with a comprehensive plan soon to cover foreign labour and stem the influx of illegal workers."

Thailand: Mass lay-off sparks rights concerns

"The National Human Rights Commission has voiced concern at the recent lay-off of 200 workers, 11 of them pregnant, at a Singaporean-owned electronics plant."

China: Liu Kaiming and the Institute of Contemporary Observation

Rose Tang of the Hong Kong Standard has put together an interesting profile on one of China's foremost advocates of worker rights, Liu Kaiming. Liu is founder and executive director of the Institute of Contemporary Observation (ICO), and knows as much about what's happening to workers in the Pearl River Delta as anyone I've met. But more importantly, he's actually doing something on the ground. It's one thing to know about working conditions; it's another to take action. It's good to see him and the ICO getting such good coverage in the English-language press.

"The slow giant elevator in a grubby Shenzhen industrial estate clunks open to a swanky office. A red sign above the reception reads: "Learn to Change Your Destiny''.

Indonesia: When workers have to use black magic to protect their livelihoods

"In Hong Kong, Anna Kurnia, an Indonesian maid, lost her job after her employer found she planned to use black magic in a desperate attempt to stop the family from sacking her. The employers opened a small package sent by Anna's husband from Indonesia, containing dried flowers and a note explaining how a simple spell would ensure the family would not dismiss her."

China: China firm gets nod for Ssangyong buy

Last year, it looked like China's Blue Star was going to acquire the majority shareholding in Korea's Ssangyong, but the deal fell through. Now another mainland comapany has won creditors' support to buy the ailing Korean car maker. If the deal comes off, it will be huge boost in China's outward FDI figures.

"Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp, China's biggest motor vehicle maker, has won creditors' support to buy South Korea's Ssangyong Motor Co, in what may be the largest overseas car industry investment by a Chinese firm."

China: Rescue work at Maolong Coal Mine enters day 7 [update 3]

Related stories here. The current death toll of 7 increasingly looks like it will rise to 18.

Rescue work at the Maolong Coal Mine in Tongzi County, Guizhou, has been in progress now for 7 days, and is facing several difficulties. The collapse of tunnels in the mine is serious and some of the junctions between tunnels are blocked by collapsed material. Rescue work has stopped while debris is removed. It is estimated that the chance of survival for the 11 missing miners is low.

Source: "Maolong meikuang wasi baozha qiangxian gongzuo jinru di 7 tian zaici shouzu [Rescue work at Maolong Coal Mine enters day 7]," Xinhua 27 July 2004.

China: Guangdong eliminates 'temporary worker' contracts

On 22 July 2004, Guangdong announced that labour contracts will be standardised, which will eliminate the distinctions that currently exist between 'temporary worker' and 'regular worker' contracts. In many enterprises, contracts for temporary and regular workers are different and thus a means for employers to discriminate against migrant workers.

China: Guangzhou government seeks to protect the legal rights of migrant workers

The Guangzhou government recently carried out a special investigation into protecting the labour rights of migrant workers. Some of the main recommendations are as follow.

China: Periodic reporting mechanism on work safety established in Guizhou

As of July, the Guizhou government has established a periodic reporting mechanism on work safety. The Guizhou Bureau of Work Safety will report every month on work safety issues to the media. The information will include monthly statistics on accidents, whether the province is meeting the state's requirements regarding work safety, and the progress of monitoring safety production. In addition, the government will provide information on serious accidents, including the reasons for the accident and judgments on those at fault. This will enable the public to monitor workplace safety.

Source: "Zhudong jieshou jadu Guizhou jianli anquan shengchan dingqi tongbao zhidu [Periodic reporting mechanism on work safety established in Guizhou]," Xinhua, 23 July 2004.

China: Supporting wall at Yunnan gold mine collapses, kills 5

At noon on 20 July 2004, a supporting wall collapsed in a gold mine in Daping Village, Yuanyang County, Yunan. 8 workers were moving equipment in the mine at the time. The collapse caused a landslide of waste material and rubbish. 6 workers were buried, 1 of which was rescued immediately. On 21 July, the other 5 bodies were recovered. The accident is being blamed on 0 days of heavy rainfall.

Indonesia: Government admits migrant workers not well protected

"A government official and a labor observer said on Thursday the widespread abuse of Indonesian migrant workers (TKI) was caused by the absence of an integrated system of protection during their employment."

China: Suicide protesters still detained in Beijing, families followed [update 5]

Related stories on the petitioners here.

China: More miners arrive in Beijing to protest [update 4]

Related stories on the petitioners here.

"Some 200 miners from northeast China have arrived in Beijing to support 23 arrested last week for protesting over their misappropriated severance pay."

China: Chinese petitioners scooped up by police [update 3]

Related stories here.

"The Chinese authorities have scooped up some 100 petitioners who traveled from then northeastern province of Heilongjiang to protest outside government offices in Beijing. Whether they had been detained was unclear."

Help! Calling for volunteers to help out with the Other Big Mac Index

As I mentioned earlier, I'm interested in putting together a new Big Mac Index. Unlike the more famous version, this index will make wages - not exchange rates - digestible by showing how long it takes an employee at a McDonald's restaurant to earn enough to purchase a Big Mac. An earlier attempt at this in late 2001 yielded interesting results, and it would be equally interesting to see how today's Index stacks up against the earlier version.

Hong Kong: Daily beatings, 20-hour days, 2 months = HK$130

A document has come across my desk in which the following claims were made by an Indonesian domestic helper employed by a family in Hong Kong. The helper

These claims have been proven true by appropriate authorities in Hong Kong. The woman's employer - and abuser - was a female teacher. The helper fled the house and broke her contract for obvious reasons. She now has ten days to find a new employer or she will be forced to return home under the stiuplations contained in her work visa.

Note: the legal minimum monthly wage for domestic helpers in Hong Kong currently stands at HK$3,270.

Asia: Burgernomics, wages and tweaking the Big Max Index

In an earlier post I suggested one way of thinking about the value of 625 yuan in China (the annual amount on which a growing number of people are now living in China). This inevitably raised the issue of purchasing power parity (PPP), the idea that a dollar should buy the same amount in every country. Which also got me thinking about the Economist magazine's famous Big Mac Index.

The Economist's Big Max Index is an exercise in "comparing actual exchange rates with PPPs [to see] whether a currency is under- or overvalued." In late 2001, when I was working at AMRC, we put together an alternative Big Mac Index (you can see the original story here published in early 2002). Just as the Economist's Big Mac index "seeks to make exchange-rate theory more digestible," we decided to use the Big Mac to make regional wages digestible.

We wondered how long it would take employees at McDonald's restaurants across Asia to earn the money required to purchase a Big Mac. These are the results (expressed as hours required to earn enough money to buy a Big Mac in the restaurant in which they worked):

China: What does 625 yuan per annum actually mean?

As discussed in more detail at Simon World, the Chinese State Council's Poverty Reduction Office recently announced that the number of residents without adequate food and clothing increased by 800,000 in 2003 for the first time in 20 years. The key point was that a growing number of people were surviving on 625 yuan or less per year, which as Simon pointed out amounts to less than US$80 per annum or a quarter per day. His post on the matter found its way to Brad Delong's blog, where a discussion ensued in the comments box about the real value of 625 yuan in China (i.e., converting a quarter per day using purchasing power parity may provide a more realistic view of what 25 cents is really worth rather than thinking about what a quarter might buy in the US). It's an interesting discussion point, but I wondered if there was another way of looking at the question using minimum wage levels. Below is an extended version of my post at Brad Delong's (with links, which Brad's site strips out).