Foshan Honda strike: struggle continues, solidarity with Honda workers
Tuesday, 1 June 2010.
chinaworker.info and Socialist Action, Hong Kong
On 31 May (Monday), Foshan Honda workers' strike continued despite repression from the local government and the Japanese company.
According to reports from Honda workers who spoke to chinaworker.info, Honda proposed a third wage increase scheme on 29 May. Based on this package, trainee workers' wage will be raised RMB 634 per month, and formal employees' wages will be raised by over RMB 300. The company asked workers to sign a new contract promising to end their strike by 9.30 on 31 May. This pay increase is below what workers demanded, - an increase of RMB 800 per month for all workers. More important is that Honda refused to re-instate two workers sacked for involvement in the strikes. Therefore, workers refused Honda's proposal and continued the strike. Honda management's trap failed to break up workers' solidarity.
On 31 May, the factory management, teachers of trainee workers and local official union bureaucrats initiated a separate discussion with workers. They wanted to buy out supervisors and threaten trainee workers, that they will not get diplomas from technical schools, but most workers were not intimidated. They gathered outside of workshop and chanted slogans to "continue to strike!"
At 15.00 on 31 May, the local government sent dozens of riot police to the factory. In addition, the local official union (a subsidiary of the one-party dictatorship) sent over 100 security guards and thugs to the Foshan factory under the pretext of "helping negotiations". These people from the official union wore identical yellow caps. Arguments ensued and the "union representatives" assaulted workers - their violent repression causing injury to half a dozen workers.
Although Honda Foshan workers are facing intensified threats and repression, the strike continues. They have raised six demands:
1. Monthly wage increases of 800 yuan, for all workers.
2. Long-term service bonus, increase of RMB 100 per month for each year employment.
3. Re-instate sacked workers and no any further repression or victimisation of workers.
4. Pay workers full pay for the duration of the strike.
5. Reply to workers' complaints and suggestions and improve services at the plant.
6. For new elections to re-elect the chairman of the relevant staff union.
chinaworker.info and Socialist Action (CWI in Hong Kong) fully support the Foshan Honda workers' strike. We urge socialists and trade unionists internationally to flood Honda management with protests against their refusal to meet workers' demands and blatant strike-breaking and anti-union actions.
Sample protest letter for individuals/organisations:
I/We express our serious concern over the Foshan Honda Company's actions in China and fully support the workers' struggle to defend their basic rights and win modest pay rises. In support of workers at Foshan Honda, we demand your corporation and the Chinese government immediately communicate with workers and accept their demands.
- Immediate reinstatement of dismissed workers - no victimisation of any worker for participation in the strike
- Pay all due wages to workers, including wages for the period of the strike
- Protest against the action of local government, puppet trade union and police to repress Honda workers
- Support workers' right to organize an independent and democratically controlled trade union
Please send your protest to these target email addresses:
Honda Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd
E-mail: yingying_wang@hmci.honda.com.cn
Address: East Third Ring Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing Development Building 5, Room 301, Post Code: 100004
Tel: 86 - 010 - 65909020
Foshan City Government Office
E-mail: xxgk@fsxzfw.gov.cn
Address: Foshan Lingnan Road, Building 17, North 12; Post Code: 528000;
Tel :0757-83320934 Fax :0757-83321424
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