Stop the Violence— Defend Labour Rights Lawful and Harsh Sentence to Assailants who attacked Labour Group

November 2007 was the “Black November” for everyone who supports labour rights. The Shenzhen Dagongzhe Migrant Worker Centre (hereafter DGZ Centre) suffered from a series of violent attacks: numerous men forced their way into DGZ Centre, smashed the facility inside and threatened the staff. Later on 20th November, the legal person (holder) of DGZ Centre, Huang Qingnan, was attacked by two assailants, which caused his left shank to be disabled permanently. As groups that promote labour rights and growth of civil organizations, we strongly condemn these violent, illegal actions against labour groups! On 3rd December, we submitted a statement endorsed by 76 Hong Kong and International labour groups to the Government of Shenzhen City, during a protest in front of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong, and urgently appealed for an intensive investigation into these violent attacks as soon as possible.

Eight months after this horrible attack, five suspects were finally prosecuted and brought to court, hence, we express our deep concern over the inquest. The main suspect, Zhong, is a local entrepreneur and landlord in the area where DGZ Centre is located. According to the information released, he is very influential in the community. Since he was discontented with the effort that DGZ Centre made to promote Labour Law to migrant workers nearby, he blamed the loss of rent on DGZ Centre and hired assailants to attack Huang.

The migrant workers in Shenzhen have contributed to the prosperity of the city in the last 20 years; however, they can never enjoy an equal return and status, and have to live in the margin of the society. Some of the unscrupulous factory owners ignore the law and regulation brazenly; tricks included underpayment, non-payment of overtime wages, baleful delay of industrial injury compensation, and even beating workers who attempted to reclaim their rights. However, the labour groups such as DGZ Centre, which strived to promote the laws and regulations tied in with the general policy of the Central Government in China, suffered from these violent attacks. We are indignant about these devilries of the assailants and the one who ordered them to do so behind the scene. Any modern civilized society should have zero tolerance to this evil act. While the Chinese Government is determined to stride towards the international society, we strongly believe that the Shenzhen Government has to disseminate an important message to these criminals: “Society will not patch up the guilt of any ruffian that infracts upon labour rights and civil groups by violent means!” during the hearing of this case.

Thus, we demand the Shenzhen authorities, to,
1.    In the case related to the attack against Huang, insure an impartial, open and independent hearing, and to make a reasonable an harsh sentence lawfully, hence to press down the trend of violence in order to safeguard the officers work in civil groups and uphold the justice;
2.    Ensure Huang receive reasonable and sufficient civil compensation as soon as possible, in order to maintain his living.

We also hope and expect that the Chinese Government can offer perdurable guarantee to the smooth operation of civil groups such as DGZ Centre, investigate and handle any violent action against workers and civil groups gravely, so that the international society can see her determination and concrete action against violence in the defense of labour rights. At the same time, we also hope and expect that the Chinese Government can extend and build up regular, equal channels to communicate with civil groups, in order to construct a harmonious society.

Initiated by: Asia Monitor Resource Centre; Globalisation Monitor; Labour Action China; Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior (SACOM); Worker Empowerment