The Chinese economic reforms launched by Deng Xiaoping have harshiy targeted the industrial working class. Breaking the so-called iron rice bowl' and 'iron wages' in reality means an attack on the right to work and decent wages. Unemployment is rising sharply On 13 July, Minister of Labour Yuan Chongwu argued that the 'oversupply of labour power would continue to be a problem in China for many million surplus workers in the clues and to mion surpius workers in the countryside.
20 million jobless But these figures are an underestimate; according to a survey, conducted by General Confederationof Trade Unions of China, the real unemployment figure for Chinese in dustrial workers is already 20 million; of the 144 million urban labourers, 10-15 per cent do not havea job or await re-allocation of a iob.
Behind these unemployment of the economic reforms. Firstis the labour contract system, aimod at employing only hit time. Second is the 'internal retirement' system used to shake out the workforce. An article in Workers Daily last October printed a letter from a middle8x0a worker hat in his factory everyone over 47 has been made to retire. Retirement pensions for this group of workers is 10 per cent iss than normal pensions. This type or cary rearedens 1s nos counted in the unemployment figures.
The third factor is the bankruptcy law, which now enables enterprises to be closed laying Although on the statute books for some time, the law is ory now being allied. textile plant in South China, the Chongqing) Textile General Factory was declared bankrupt, with 3000 workers Women workers face sackings in Chinese reforms losing their jobs. The factory still owed 3 million yuan to the workers in back wages and sodal benefits.
With the implementation of the new shareholding system, large numbers of workers are aid off when capitalists buy up the shares. A Hong Kong programme last November carTried interviews with workers and the employer at the hours, and the workers are normally expected to work four or five hours overtime. Free meals and baths have been abolished. The factory. medical team nas been cutback from a few dozens to just a handful. This is the balance sheet of the privatisation of a factory. Workers made camera For are suddenly stranded. example the workers 'internally retired' in Wuhan receive only albeit in subtle ways. Oncarticle in the Workers Daily criticised workers for their 'undesirable mentality which lacks a correct understanding of the reforms and cannot adapt to change.
Ten fears
But another article explains the 'ten fears' of workers about the reforms, which include statements like 'the old are pe-