[B]usinesses…argue that their presence [in China] has helped improve labor standards and even forward democracy. Now the same companies… are lobbying to weaken a draft Chinese labor law...The proposed law would require employers to sign contracts with all workers and to pay severance to fired employees, and tighten job protection for older workers and sole breadwinners. It would also give the party-run union more power in contract negotiations and setting workplace rules...[refers to Microsoft, General Electric, Alcoa, Nike]