China labour strikes gain momentum

Despite ban, workers seeking more rights step up strikes across the country.

China labour unions pkg

Labour union movements seeking better wages and working conditions have stepped up strikes and protests across China at an unprecedented rate. It has been described as nothing short of a revolution.

So far in this year, there had been at least 73 major co-ordinated strikes throughout the country. But the rights groups operate in secret to avoid police who often crush strikes through arrests and brutality.

The government says its main concern is that if it gives workers the right to form assemblies, they may turn against authorities.

Al Jazeera was given rare access to a network of workers on strike in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.

Steve Chao reports from Guangzhou.

Source: Al Jazeera