Labour activist YaoFuxin released after seven years in prison

On 16 March 2009, Mr. Yao Fuxin was released from Lingyuan No. 2 Prison, Liaoning province, considered to be one of the harshest prisons in China and where most detainees are political prisoners.

Before his detention, Mr. Yao was one of China’s most outspoken labour activists. In 1998, he joined others to petition the central government against corruption at the Liaoyang Ferro-Alloy Factory. In May 2001, the factory’s workers alleged that the robbery of 2,000 tons of iron ore at the factory had been led by local court officials and that the subsequent bankruptcy of the factory had been orchestrated by the factory’s leaders in collusion with the local government. Mr. Yao and other workers had demanded a full investigation that was never conducted.

Source: ITUC, 18 March 2009

Migrants workers make their way in the rural interior

20 million migrant workers are seeking new employment this year. 20% less enterprises are planning to hire workers, and the overall number of vacancies is down 10%. There are estimated to be at least 130 million migrant workers in China (though some estimates are 150 to 200 million).

Henan province is one of China’s largest migrant populations, with 20 million. Nearly five million returned home two weeks before the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), and 60% of them cited the economic crisis as the reason for their extended holiday.

The provincial government has earmarked 800 million yuan to support small and medium sized businesses. Some returned migrant workers are availing of this, with their skills and experiences from working in the cities.