Suizhou Tieshu workers vow to continue their struggle for missing benefits

The notice below comes from workers at the Suizhou Tieshu Textile Group who have been protesting since the start of 2003 about alleged corruption at the factory, the proposed pension cuts and demanding the return of worker’s funds and payment of compensation for forced layoffs.

Despite little official response, the workers have continued to demonstrate outside the factory and have also attempted to utilize the courts to gain redress. Over 300 workers filed a joint complaint to the Suizhou People’s Court asking that missing pensions and other benefits owed to the workers be paid by the Tieshu Group. However, the court decided in favour of the factory. The workers decided to appeal and on 5 June, their appeal was also rejected by the Hubei High People’s Court.

The notice reveals clearly the workers determination to win back missing benefits despite opposition from the local and provincial officials.

For more information on their struggle please see the following links;

5 June 2003: Court verdict

5 April: Interviews with workers on the pension cuts and causes of the dispute

21 March 2003: Detention of several workers

18 March 2003: Protests continue

14 March 2003: ACFTU - “no comment”
14 March 2003: CLB Press Release

13 March 203: Protests restart

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Notice

In the case of retired and sacked staff from Hubei Tieshu Group who sued the Bankruptcy Investigation Unit of the Company for the violation of rights.

The plaintiffs submitted the dispute to the Labour Dispute Arbitration Committee of Suizhou City and subsequently to the Suizhou City Intermediate People’s Court, and made an appeal to the High People’s Court of Hubei Province. Yet owing to reasons known to everybody, the Provincial High People’s Court finally affirmed the original judgment of the First Instance, and did not accept the case for review.

The plaintiffs hold that under the sky of Hubei Province, there is no way to complain, and there is nowhere to appeal. According to the wishes of all plaintiffs, we will appeal to the Supreme Court of the People’s Republic of China, and report to the Standing Committee of National People’s Congress, demanding legal supervision without the interference of the administration, so that the lawful rights of the elderly can be immune from infringement.

14 July 2003