Workers strike in Japanese auto parts plant in south China

About 100 workers from a Japanese auto parts plant continued their strike Thursday in Guangdong Province as they seek higher wages and improved welfare benefits.

Workers at the fully Japan-funded Atsumitec Auto Parts (Foshan) Co. Ltd. in Foshan City of Guangdong gathered in the factory compound Thursday noon, trying to push the factory management to accept their demands of raising workers' monthly pay by about 700 yuan (103 U.S. dollars), including basic salaries and welfare fees.

The peaceful gathering last about one hour and there was no clashes, according to officials.

Workers also demand the dismissal of two factory officers who threatened to dismiss striking employees after the strike began on Monday.

Cao Ruikui, an assembly line worker, said workers receive 900 yuan a month if not working overtime. However, workers in an adjacent Toyota plant might get paid more than 2,000 yuan per month.

Today the factory sent two officers to meet some 20 workers in the dinning hall during the morning, but the negotiations lasted only about 10 minutes and failed to reach any compromise, according to Zhong Weiwen, a local Party officer.

Cao said the two officers were quite rude to workers during the brief meeting and threatened to replace the striking workers with new ones.

The factory management declared it would fire 95 striking workers on Wednesday and asked them to move out of the factory dormitory. Officials said the dormitory would be closed on Thursday and the factory would recruit 30 new workers soon. However, the management had not taken these measures as of Thursday night.

The factory, located in Shishan Township of Nanhai District, belongs to Japan-based Atsumitec Co. Ltd. and has about 200 employees. It produces auto parts for Honda Motor Co. Ltd. as well as other companies.

Source:Xinhua