China: Workers at shoe factory strike over conditions & unpaid compensation
အကျဉ်းချုပ်
Date Reported: 31 Mar 2024
Location: China
Companies
Polo Ralph Lauren - Reported buyer , Ralph Lauren - Reported buyer , Gap - Buyer , Walmart - Reported buyerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Footwear , Gender not reported )Issues
Impacts on Livelihoods , Wage Theft , Purchasing practices: Order volumeResponse
Response sought: Yes, by BHRRC
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Nanbao Shoes allegedly supplies to Gap, Ralph Lauren and Walmart; Walmart, Ralph Lauren and Gap provided a response to a request for comment from the Resource Centre. Walmart and Ralph Lauren stated they do not source from the factory.
Source type: News outlet
"Workers at the Foshan Nanbao Shoe Factory went on strike, demanding an increase in the minimum wage and the payment of social security" 31 March 2024
[...]
...on March 25, workers at Nanbao Shoe Factory in Foshan, Guangdong Province, launched a collective strike due to low wages and non-payment of social security, which lasted at least until the 29th. Workers are demanding guaranteed wages, rest periods, social security contributions, work-related injury compensation, and working conditions. During the strike, workers marched to local authorities for assistance, but their appeals have not yet been answered.
According to the Douyin video, on March 25, about 100 workers of Nanbao Shoe Factory signed and submitted a letter of appeal (source), putting forward six demands...
According to the Douyin videos and comments posted by the workers, the orders of Nanbao Shoe Factory have dropped sharply since 2022, "there is nothing to do", and the year before last (2022), the workers only made 4,000 yuan a month. Some workers also mentioned that the shoe factory owners had fired workers without paying compensation before the strike. Another video seven months ago showed workers arguing with their bosses over "break-up pay" (dismissal or compensation for shutting down the factory) (source). Nanbao was already on the verge of closure due to a lack of orders and declining efficiency, and the boss's attempt to close the plant to end operations but his unwillingness to give reasonable compensation to the workers may be the main reason behind the strike...
Founded in 1992, Nanbao Shoes Factory is a manufacturer of vulcanized shoes...for world-renowned brands such as Wal-Mart, GAP, Polo, etc...
Since the epidemic, orders for European and American sneaker brands have been reduced, and overseas demand has plummeted...