The Other Side Behind the Canton's Prosperity
Today I went to International Leather City of Shili, which situates in Huadou District, Guangzhou. I was to advertise for my English Training Center. I thought maybe I can find some people who are interested in English.After talking with two girls who are interested in English, I found that the market is small. Not because that don’t want to improve themselves, but that they have no time. They have to work from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM, i.e. fifteen hours a day. And they take only ONE day off per month. The girl with whom I chatted is working in a designing company. She said that she is better than those who work in the factory, for she works only twelve hours a day. When I asked whether they can get extra money for extra work, she said “every factory is doing so, how can I ask for extra money?”
I talked to my friend who is working in the International Leather City of Shiling. He told me that Shiling is famous for handbag around the world. “The work is not laborious. The migrant workers have to work 15 hours if they want to make more money.” Since their pay bases on piece rate, they cannot get extra money for work over time. I asked him why the migrant workers still work in Shiling in spite of the fact that they have to work 15 hours a day. He said “maybe we can make more money here.” “How much can you earn per month?” I asked him even though I know it is his privacy. “More than 1000 Yuan” he answered.
I called the so-called the Mayor’s hotline after I got back from Shiling—(020)86811122. I just want to know whether they know the severe situation— incredible work hour and how they handle this. They said that the matter is not their territory. “If you think it breaks the law to do that, you can reflect your problem to the local bureau of labor.”
“You mean the Mayor has no right to deal with the problem?” I asked.
“Yes, definitely.” The representative of Mayor answered.
“Well, the society is brutal. Labor force outstrips demand. If you don’t do the job, others are willing to. The problem is the Labor Union does do what it is supposed to do. ” A gold-collar friend remarks.
[[i] Last edited by handsomebibi at 2-5-2008 00:51 [/i]]
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