China Mobile workers in Guangyuan, Sichuan, held a demonstration at the company’s provincial headquarters demanding compensation as the company attempts to outsource their work.

When Guangyuan China Mobile branch decided to stop working with two local labour agency companies, workers were told on 24 July in a meeting that they were to be layoff immediately. 70 workers gathered at the provincial headquarters to demand compensation for unequal pay during their years of service. Workers also demanded double compensation, in accordance with Chinese law, as the company failed to give them at least one month’s notice before termination.

Similar incidents have occurred at China Mobile in the past, including a protest a year ago by workers in neighboring Guang’an, Sichuan, just 300 kilometers from Guangyuan.

On 24 July more than one hundred agency workers representing over 3,000 agency workers at oil fields across the county gathered at the Shaanxi Yanchang petroleum headquarters demanding equal pay.

The workers have served at the company for around a decade, but still received entry level low pay and a lack of benefits. In an open letter to the company, workers reported that full employees received around 5,000 yuan a month while agency workers only 2,000 yuan. In addition, agency workers reported the lowest bonuses and performance pay rates. Moreover, agency workers worked longer hours, but never received any overtime pay.

Workers held banners at the company headquarters and demanded a response from the company, but were met with police. Minor clashes ensued.