Instead of helping them, the unionists attack the striking workers.
To brothers and sisters from trade unions, civil society and friends who are concerned about the labor situation in China:Honda Auto Parts Manufacturing Co., Ltd. located in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, has entered the 14th day of its strike. Of the many strikes by Chinese workers in recent years, this is one of the longest lasting. While many people are concerned and moved by the tragedy of Foxconn’s workers who have committed suicide by jumping from a building, the struggle of Honda workers undoubtedly is very encouraging.
Honda workers told us that their struggle had got some success. From a total of more than 1,800 employees in the factory, 80 percent of them are student interns from technical schools. As they signed an internship contract, they are not protected by the labor law and their wages are as low as 900 Yuan per month. This is lower than the minimum wage level. Additionally they are not covered by any social insurance. When these interns were recruited in schools, the company promised free lodging and meals but only one meal is provided a day. After deducting the cost of utility bills, workers only have around 700 Yuan per month. Interns can become regular employees only after they have finished one year’s internship and obtained a diploma. Even when these interns become regular employees their wages are only 1,000 Yuan per month.
On May 17, all workers went on strike and at the general assembly convened by their employers the workers made 108 demands and elected 30 representatives upon their employer’s request. However, the employer not only failed to show good faith in the negotiations, but also dismissed two worker representatives in an attempt scare the others.
May 24, the company agreed to give a 55 Yuan a month meal allowance. This was sternly rejected by workers. The regular employees and the interns maintained a high degree of courage and solidarity and persisted with the strike.
May 26, Honda management proposed a wage increase. This was different, however, for interns and regular workers. While interns would get a wage increase of 477 Yuan per month, regular staff would only receive an increase of 355 Yuan. All workers refused this differentiation formula.
May 27 after discussing collectively, the workers again proposed a few important demands:
1) A basic pay increase of 800 Yuan per month. Within three days of the wage increase, they would resign a labor contract. In addition the annual raise must not less than 15% and the year-end bonus and festival subsidies should not be less than the previous year.
2) Compensation for additional years of service subsidies--for each year of service there should be an increase of 100 Yuan per year with a 10-year cap.
3) Reinstate the dismissed employees and no punishment for workers who joined the strikes.
4) Re-organize the company’s trade union—Re-elect trade union chairman and the trade union related staff.
May 28, Honda management again came up with a new proposal.
Interns’ wages will be increased to 634 Yuan per month after the first three months employment while the regular staff’s wage increase would remain the same (355 Yuan per month). At the same time, through various means, Honda began to force the interns to sign a “no more strike” promise which had to be submitted before 9 am of May 31. What is more, Honda called in some of the interns’ teachers and local government officials to exert pressure on the interns and urge them to go back to work on May 31. Throughout the process, the Honda trade union not only failed to provide any assistance for the striking workers, but urged them to resume production as soon as possible.To fight against the unfair treatment of workers and suppression by Honda management, today (May 31) the workers are experiencing a crucial moment in their two-week strike. We call upon friends and allies who are concerned about the situation of Chinese workers to support the legitimate struggle of the Honda workers in China. To support the workers, you can put pressure on Honda to urge the company to stop the unfair treatment and suppression of the strike workers and publicly answer the reasonable demands made by the workers:
1) A wage increase of 800 Yuan per month for all workers
2) Compensate workers with the 100 Yuan service subsidy for additional year’s of service
3) Reinstatement of the dismissed worker representatives
4) Re-organize the Honda company union.
We call upon friends and allies who are concerned about the situation of Chinese workers to continue monitoring the developments of the incident and support the workers’ demands and actions when they are in need.
Please go to the link below and sign the petition in support of the striking workers:
http://www.gopetition.com/online/36742.html
Globalization Monitor
June 1st, 2010