CHINA: Workers strike for higher pay at Omron plant

Record ID: 339700

  • Title: CHINA: Workers strike for higher pay at Omron plant
  • Date: 22nd July 2010
  • Summary: GUANGZHOU, GUANGDONG PROVINCE, CHINA (JULY 21, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF OMRON GUANGZHOU AUTOMATIVE ELECTRONIC CO. WORKERS STANDING ON BALCONY MALE WORKER WRITING DOWN MOBILE NUMBER ON CARDBOARD/WORKERS SURROUNDING HIM OMRON FACTORY COMPLEX/WORKERS STANDING ON BALCONY FORKLIFT TRUCK PARKED IN FACTORY FACTORY BUILDINGS SECURITY AT GATE HOUSE VARIOUS OF
  • Embargoed: 6th August 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Employment,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA2MBUPDH4KFQDMIRGDP2D0UJ1O
  • Story Text: Japanese electronics maker Omron confirmed that workers at its factory in southern China went on strike for higher pay on Wednesday (July 21), the latest such strike by workers wanting a piece of China's growing economic wealth.
    The Omron walkout is the latest in a string of labour disputes dating back to May that have involved workers demanding better wages and working conditions.
    The Omron strikers, who walked off the job on Wednesday morning, are demanding a pay raise of 500 yuan ($74) per month, an increase of about 40 percent from their current salary of 1,270 yuan ($186), according to two workers who declined to give their names because of concerns about retribution.
    A spokesman from Omron said 200-300 workers had gone on strike at its Guangzhou plant, adding the company to the list of Japanese firms which have been the target of labour disputes in China.
    Some 10 people were gathered on a balcony at the plant, including one holding a sign with a mobile phone number to call. Others remained in the building, peering out of windows.
    Between 400 and 500 workers are striking, said the employees, out of a total staff of 700-800. The factory makes mainly switches and ignition keys for Honda Motor, Ford, BMW and other car makers, one of the workers said.
    Omron shares extended losses on news of the strike to end down 3 percent at 1,982 yen in Wednesday trading in Tokyo.
    Chinese authorities have been relatively tolerant of strikers so far, although the government has given signs recently that it would prefer dissatisfied workers go through state-sponsored unions and local governments to resolve their disputes.
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