Union leaders in call for labour laws

CHINA might still have a long way to go to become capitalist - but scenes of Dickensian sweat-shops are already emerging in the country's work places.

The plight of workers, particularly in joint ventures and private enterprises, has prompted union leaders to call for the early promulgation of the long-awaited labour law, now in its 27th draft.

The joint plea was made by a group of 11 delegates of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at a full session yesterday.

Among them were Mr Yan Zhongqin, a former labour minister, and two vice-chairman of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions.

Chinese sources said the problem of labour unrest could become worse due to the ongoing drive of state-owned enterprises to revamp their operations, including the laying-off of workers.

''There have been reports of mass strikes in some working places. It could erupt into social unrest,'' a source said.

In their address, the delegation warned that violation of the legal rights and benefits of workers in joint ventures and private enterprises, which had already occurred frequently, could increase. This was due to the lack of strict legal regulation andconstraints on the employers, they said.

As the enterprise system was undergoing major changes, they warned labour disputes may worsen.

The delegation claimed that as a result of the lack of laws covering such areas as the working hours in factories, some workers had to work between 10 and 12 hours a day. In a small number of factories, it could be up to 18 hours a day.

In many cases, workers had no choice but to work the long hours.

Due to the lack of laws on wages, they said many enterprises had deliberately delayed paying salaries, some for several months.

The problem of industrial safety in joint ventures and private enterprises was also acute, they said.

The delegates argued that the improvement of workers' well-being would help to enhance the country's reputation if the provisions in the international agreement on workers that China had already signed could be fully and effectively enforced.

The labour laws were also indispensable for the protection of the rights and benefits of mainland workers overseas, they added.

There would be no legal basis for the formulation of laws on employment, wages, social insurance, training and labour protection if a set of labour laws were not introduced, they said.

The delegates said more than 200 motions had been raised by conference and National People's Congress delegates on the early drafting of a set of labour laws since 1989.

Many studies, discussions and amendments had also been made on the draft laws, they said.

''This is already a good foundation for the early implementation of the laws,'' they noted.