500 workers protest at Chinese toy factory

Pooch Dog is monitoring 4 or 5 Chinese news sites.  Over the last month there have been many reports of work unrest, demonstrations, and protests.  Often violence of varying degrees is involved.  I have not blogged any of the reports as I recall.  However, the frequency of these reports of worker unrest has certainly grabbed my attention.  If I remember correctly, one report said 50% of China's toy factories have shut down.  But, I might be incorrect on the %, but am certain that the number is very high.

I am blogging one report of Chinese worker unrest below.  However, you should realize that their problems are severe, and the incident mentioned below is only a small part of their bigger picture.                     Pooch Dog

About 500 protesters rioted at a toy factory in southern China, flipping over a police car, storming the plant's gates and trashing computers over a pay dispute, an official said Wednesday. The violence in Dongguan on Tuesday came as many companies in the once-booming city are shutting down or cutting staff amid rising costs, global economic woes and government plans to relocate low-end manufacturers. Local officials are worried about the plant closures and have endorsed the central government's multibillion-dollar stimulus plan. They have also been urging factories to avoid large layoffs to prevent social upheaval. The riot was triggered by a disagreement over severance payments to 80 migrant workers among a group of 596 who were laid off this month when their contracts expired, said a local propaganda office spokesman. He would only give his surname, Cai. The 80 laborers claimed they were senior employees who deserved more severance from the Kai Da toy factory in Dongguan's Zhongtang township, Cai said.

http://www.topix.net/content/ap/2008/11/500-workers-protest-at-chinese-toy-factory