Three more people detained as China continues to crack down on labour groups
- Police in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen raid organisations that provide training and advisory services to migrant workers
- Situation has worsened since workers’ rights protest at Jasic technology, observers say
China’s crackdown on organisations that support migrant workers continued apace this month with the detention of at least three NGO workers in police raids.
In separate but apparently coordinated moves, police officers in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen entered the premises of three organisations that provide training, social and advisory services.
They then questioned staff and volunteers, seized documents and computers, and apprehended at least three people, according to witness reports and information shared on social media.
Li Dajun, the director of Hope Community in Beijing, is among those thought to be in custody. The group he represents carries out research work and provides advocacy for migrant workers and their children in the Chinese capital.
While his detention has not been confirmed by the authorities, sources said his phone had been switched off since the raid on Wednesday and he had not been in contact with his family or friends.
In Guangzhou, capital of south China’s Guangdong province, Liang Zicun was volunteering at the Guangdong Mumian Social Work Association – a group that mostly provides vocational training for migrant workers – when police entered the premises and apprehended him.