According to the Hefei News Net (25 February, 2002), workers in an air-conditioner plant complained that they were given free condoms instead of cash payments for their year end bonus before the Lunar New Year Festival. The workers, from the southern city of Guangzhou, said they were puzzled by the differential treatment between them and the management at the plant. Each of the cadres received bonus payments of between RMB 500 and 800.

When asked by news reporters for the rationale behind the condom distribution, a plant spokeswoman said the condoms were not given as year-end bonus. Instead they were provided for the migrant workers who might need them when they returned to their home villages for family visits.

(Source: Xinhuanet)

---------------------------------------
Online: 2002-02-25