Press Release
23 April 2002
Gu Baoshu, a workers representative from Liaoyang Ferrous-Alloy Factory, who was arrested on 16 April by the Liaoyang municipal government, was released on the same day.
Guo Xiujing, wife of Yao Fuxin, another arrested workers representative from the Ferrous-Alloy Factory, told China Labour Bulletin (CLB) that after factory workers learned about the arrest of Gu Baoshu, scores of them rushed to the building where he lived and tussled with the police who arrested him, but finally the police took Gu away.
The workers submitted on the spot an application for a demonstration to the General Secretary of the municipal government, who came to the factory to pacify the workers. However, the General Secretary immediately declared that the application should bear the name of the organisers; otherwise it would be invalid.
The workers refused to enter any names on the application. Moreover they stated that, were Gu Baoshu not released and were the permission to demonstrate not approved, they would collectively visit Beijing to petition or they would block the railway.
Under such pressure from the workers, Gu Baoshu was released on the same night.
The events of Gu Baoshus arrest on 16 April
Around 8:40 in the morning, someone knocked on Gu Baoshus door. Gu went to the door and, looking through the cats eye, he saw two strangers outside in plain clothes. He got worried that it was the corrupt people [officials] who sent people to take revenge on him, so he immediately dialled 110 to call the police.
To his surprise, the two men opened the door with a key. Gu asked the two men for identification but one of them said: Do we need papers for the sort like you? After they entered, they ripped out the telephone line, pushed Gu to the ground and beat him up. Then, they took two ties and a jacket from Gus wardrobe and wrapped Gus head in the jacket. They fastened one tie around his neck and one around his feet. At that time, Gu heard someone at the door telling the guy who beat him up: No worries, if anybody asks, just say that it was a fight between husband and wife. They carried the tied-up Gu downstairs, but they ran into the workers blockade in front of the building. The police (stationed) outside pushed aside the blockading workers and took Gu away in a police car.
In the evening, they gave Gu five yuan and a pair of flip-flops and Gu went home by himself taking a bus.
Guo Xiujing also said that Wang Dawei, another key person in the Ferrous-Alloy Factory workers struggle, went to Beijing to file complaints at numerous central-government departments but was completely ignored. After he called Gou Xiujings family once last week to tell them about his progress with the complaints, he had not been heard since.
The government has basically met all demands initially put forward by the Ferrous-Alloy Factory workers since they first started their street demonstrations against corruption and their fight for their rights in the middle of March; all their medical expenses have been reimbursed, half of the salaries in arrears have been paid, and the workers pension insurance cards have been issued.
However, the arrested workers representatives have not been released. Moreover, the government has still been arresting more people.
23 April 2002
Gu Baoshu, a workers representative from Liaoyang Ferrous-Alloy Factory, who was arrested on 16 April by the Liaoyang municipal government, was released on the same day.
Guo Xiujing, wife of Yao Fuxin, another arrested workers representative from the Ferrous-Alloy Factory, told China Labour Bulletin (CLB) that after factory workers learned about the arrest of Gu Baoshu, scores of them rushed to the building where he lived and tussled with the police who arrested him, but finally the police took Gu away.
The workers submitted on the spot an application for a demonstration to the General Secretary of the municipal government, who came to the factory to pacify the workers. However, the General Secretary immediately declared that the application should bear the name of the organisers; otherwise it would be invalid.
The workers refused to enter any names on the application. Moreover they stated that, were Gu Baoshu not released and were the permission to demonstrate not approved, they would collectively visit Beijing to petition or they would block the railway.
Under such pressure from the workers, Gu Baoshu was released on the same night.
The events of Gu Baoshus arrest on 16 April
Around 8:40 in the morning, someone knocked on Gu Baoshus door. Gu went to the door and, looking through the cats eye, he saw two strangers outside in plain clothes. He got worried that it was the corrupt people [officials] who sent people to take revenge on him, so he immediately dialled 110 to call the police.
To his surprise, the two men opened the door with a key. Gu asked the two men for identification but one of them said: Do we need papers for the sort like you? After they entered, they ripped out the telephone line, pushed Gu to the ground and beat him up. Then, they took two ties and a jacket from Gus wardrobe and wrapped Gus head in the jacket. They fastened one tie around his neck and one around his feet. At that time, Gu heard someone at the door telling the guy who beat him up: No worries, if anybody asks, just say that it was a fight between husband and wife. They carried the tied-up Gu downstairs, but they ran into the workers blockade in front of the building. The police (stationed) outside pushed aside the blockading workers and took Gu away in a police car.
In the evening, they gave Gu five yuan and a pair of flip-flops and Gu went home by himself taking a bus.
Guo Xiujing also said that Wang Dawei, another key person in the Ferrous-Alloy Factory workers struggle, went to Beijing to file complaints at numerous central-government departments but was completely ignored. After he called Gou Xiujings family once last week to tell them about his progress with the complaints, he had not been heard since.
The government has basically met all demands initially put forward by the Ferrous-Alloy Factory workers since they first started their street demonstrations against corruption and their fight for their rights in the middle of March; all their medical expenses have been reimbursed, half of the salaries in arrears have been paid, and the workers pension insurance cards have been issued.
However, the arrested workers representatives have not been released. Moreover, the government has still been arresting more people.
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