In China, the recent wave of worker strikes has highlighted problems that exist within the country’s labor force.

Aside from low wages and poor working conditions, some workers are also complaining about the lack of an independent and effective labor union.

[Mr. Zhang, Worker from Chengdu, Sichuan Province]:
“Our company has a union, but it has never held a meeting. The union is just like a dummy.”

All labor unions in China are state-controlled. They are often seen as siding with the management and local communist authorities instead of representing the workers.

[Mr. Zheng, Worker from Shenzhen, Guangdong Province]:
“We want an organization formed by rural migrant workers. If the representatives are chosen from amongst fellow migrant workers, I feel they will, to the greatest extent possible, protect and guarantee the interest of rural migrant workers.”

Last year, migrant rural workers from northeastern Jilin Province applied to authorities to form their own union.

[Xu Yiming, Migrant Worker from Jilin Province]:
“An independent rural migrant workers’ union that can make reasonable requests on behalf of the workers. But this organization was not approved by the state.”

The state-run union released a report on Tuesday warning that young migrant workers are increasingly willing to make demands. The All-China Federation of Trade Unions says this will become a test for stability in the country.

The strikes are disrupting production of major manufacturers as workers continue to make demands.

In southern Guangdong province, production of Japanese car makers Toyota and Honda were halted on Wednesday. Both are experiencing parts shortages due to worker strikes at their supplies factories.