China studen
9th July 2010, 20:16
Support Honda Workers in Foshan China
To all those who are concerned with workers in China:
On May 17, 2010, more than 1800 Honda workers in Foshan decided to go on strike. By May 27, all four Honda plants in China had stopped production.
Why did the workers go on strike? It is because their wages are too low and their conditions are harsh! Formal workers at Honda in Foshan take home 1200 yuan (US$175) a month on average, while intern workers, 80% of its workforce, earn as little as 900 yuan (US$131) a month. Intern workers are students from technical schools who are not protected by the national Labor Contract Law, because they work for Honda under an internship contract. They are given a wage below the local minimum and are not covered by social insurance. What can Honda workers do with the little wages they get, at a time where prices for everyday goods are getting more and more expensive? They have little left, apart from covering their basic necessities. Can they hope to take root in the city? No. Can they work with dignity? No. They cannot afford housing, medical care, child rearing, or to look after their parents. With high inflation, it is difficult for them to take care of their own livelihood.
With all these difficulties, they have reported their situation to management through internal channels, but have been ignored. Their report disappears like a stone in the sea. Thus they are forced to go on strike. They demand a pay raise to 2000-2500 yuan. This is a very reasonable demand, as this was only about the average wage level in Foshan three years ago.
During the strike, they hoped that the company would take their views seriously and alleviate their current difficulties. But what did they get as a response? They met with threats and ridicule and a plot to divide the workers. The company said they would respond in a week. What did the company do in the meantime? The company threatened them: whoever does not return to work will be fired. The company picked out the strike leaders and fired them. The company also threatened all intern workers that if they did not return to work, they will not get their diploma for graduation. This is what Honda did in the interim. On May 24, the company responded that they will provide 55 yuan food subsidy to each worker. What a mockery they made of workers’ demand! Workers are not beggars! Facing Honda’s response, which clearly lacked sincerity, workers were angry and decided to continue their strike.
On May 26, Honda rolled out a proposal to divide the workers: 477 yuan raise for intern workers and 355 yuan raise for formal workers. They hoped to tempt intern workers to return to work and thus “divide and rule.”
What surprised Honda is the unity demonstrated by workers. On May 27, workers counter-proposed 800 yuan raise for all, with no discrimination. Yet Honda did not learn its lesson, but played the “divide and rule” game again: 634 yuan for intern workers after three months and 355 yuan for formal workers. At the same time, Honda exerted more pressure on intern workers and required them to sign a “no strike” commitment before 9 am, May 31. The company also brought local officials and teachers of technical schools to force intern workers to return to work before May 31. Honda had promised that they would address the problem with a positive attitude. Look at what happened. This is what Honda called a positive attitude.
Struggling for survival and for dignity, Honda workers are forced to go on strike. But Honda had no sincere intention to solve the problems; it continuously tried to divide the workers and mobilized others to exert pressure on them. At present, workers have agreed to return to work for three days and allow the management time (before Friday) to respond to their demands. Now is the critical time for the workers’ struggle. Therefore, we appeal to all Honda workers, all worker brothers and sisters, people in China who are concerned with workers, and people in the world who are concerned with workers, to support the struggles of Honda workers in Foshan!
It is because their struggles are reasonable and just. They resist the oppression of their exploiters and they fight for a dignified life for all workers.
Let us unite and exert pressure on Honda. We want to tell Honda: stop all your efforts to divide and suppress workers and meet workers’ demands.
We most sincerely salute the courageous Honda workers!
Contact: [email protected]
发起人：
Dr. Yan Hairong (Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
Dr. Chan Kingchi (City University of Hong Kong)
Dong Xulin (Retiree from the United Nations)
Dr. Du Jiping (Taiwan, Former editor of Pipan yu zaizao)
Dr. Chen Yunzhong (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
Dr. Barry Sautman (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
Dr. Tong Xiaoxi (Chinese University of Agriculture)
Dr. Dong Qingyuan (Engineer in USA)
Dr. Fang Mou (Scientist, USA)
Dr. Ma Yaobang (Writer, Canada)
Wu Jianbing (Poet, USA)
Peng Zhaochang (University of Massachusetts)
Liu Shenyu （Scholar/Writer, USA）
Luo Qiyuan (Retired Engineer)
http://gopetition.com/online/36847.html
Support Honda Workers in Foshan China
(For Chinese version, see below.)
To all those who are concerned with workers in China:
On May 17, 2010, more than 1800 Honda workers in Foshan decided to go on strike. By May 27, all four Honda plants in China had stopped production.
Why did the workers go on strike? It is because their wages are too low and their conditions are harsh! Formal workers at Honda in Foshan take home 1200 yuan (US$175) a month on average, while intern workers, 80% of its workforce, earn as little as 900 yuan (US$131) a month. Intern workers are students from technical schools who are not protected by the national Labor Contract Law, because they work for Honda under an internship contract. They are given a wage below the local minimum and are not covered by social insurance. What can Honda workers do with the little wages they get, at a time where prices for everyday goods are getting more and more expensive? They have little left, apart from covering their basic necessities. Can they hope to take root in the city? No. Can they work with dignity? No. They cannot afford housing, medical care, child rearing, or to look after their parents. With high inflation, it is difficult for them to take care of their own livelihood.
With all these difficulties, they have reported their situation to management through internal channels, but have been ignored. Their report disappears like a stone in the sea. Thus they are forced to go on strike. They demand a pay raise to 2000-2500 yuan. This is a very reasonable demand, as this was only about the average wage level in Foshan three years ago.
During the strike, they hoped that the company would take their views seriously and alleviate their current difficulties. But what did they get as a response? They met with threats and ridicule and a plot to divide the workers. The company said they would respond in a week. What did the company do in the meantime? The company threatened them: whoever does not return to work will be fired. The company picked out the strike leaders and fired them. The company also threatened all intern workers that if they did not return to work, they will not get their diploma for graduation. This is what Honda did in the interim. On May 24, the company responded that they will provide 55 yuan food subsidy to each worker. What a mockery they made of workers’ demand! Workers are not beggars! Facing Honda’s response, which clearly lacked sincerity, workers were angry and decided to continue their strike.
On May 26, Honda rolled out a proposal to divide the workers: 477 yuan raise for intern workers and 355 yuan raise for formal workers. They hoped to tempt intern workers to return to work and thus “divide and rule.”
What surprised Honda is the unity demonstrated by workers. On May 27, workers counter-proposed 800 yuan raise for all, with no discrimination. Yet Honda did not learn its lesson, but played the “divide and rule” game again: 634 yuan for intern workers after three months and 355 yuan for formal workers. At the same time, Honda exerted more pressure on intern workers and required them to sign a “no strike” commitment before 9 am, May 31. The company also brought local officials and teachers of technical schools to force intern workers to return to work before May 31. Honda had promised that they would address the problem with a positive attitude. Look at what happened. This is what Honda called a positive attitude.
Struggling for survival and for dignity, Honda workers are forced to go on strike. But Honda had no sincere intention to solve the problems; it continuously tried to divide the workers and mobilized others to exert pressure on them. At present, workers have agreed to return to work for three days and allow the management time (before Friday) to respond to their demands. Now is the critical time for the workers’ struggle. Therefore, we appeal to all Honda workers, all worker brothers and sisters, people in China who are concerned with workers, and people in the world who are concerned with workers, to support the struggles of Honda workers in Foshan!
It is because their struggles are reasonable and just. They resist the oppression of their exploiters and they fight for a dignified life for all workers.
Let us unite and exert pressure on Honda. We want to tell Honda: stop all your efforts to divide and suppress workers and meet workers’ demands.
We most sincerely salute the courageous Honda workers!
Contact: [email protected]
Initiators:
Editors of Chinese Workers Research Network
Dr. Yan Hairong (Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
Dr. Alvin So (Professor, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
Dr. Szeto May (University of Hong Kong)
Wong Kai Hing (President of The Hong Kong Polytechinc University Students’ Union)
Dr. Chan Kingchi (City University of Hong Kong)
Dong Xulin (Retiree from the United Nations)
Dr. Du Jiping (Taiwan, editor of Pipan yu zaizao)
Dr. Chen Yunzhong (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
Dr. Barry Sautman (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
Dr. Tong Xiaoxi (Chinese University of Agriculture)
Dr. Fumie Ohashi (JSPS research fellow)
Signers:
Dr. Wang Hui (Professor, Qinghua University)
Dr. Dong Qingyuan (Engineer in USA)
Dr. Fang Mou (Scientist, USA)
Dr. Ma Yaobang (Writer, Canada)
Wu Jianbing (Poet, USA)
Peng Zhaochang (University of Massachusetts)
Liu Shenyu （Scholar/Writer, USA）
Luo Chiyun (Retired Engineer)
Dr. Ching Pao-yu (Professor Emeritus, Marygrove University)
Dr. Bai Di (Drew University)
Dr. Wang Dan (Hong Kong University)
Dr. Chen I-Chung (Academia Sinica, Taiwan)
Dr. Anita Chan (Professor, Sydney University of Technology)
Dr. Chen Kuan-Hsing (Professor, Qinghua University, Taiwan)
Zha Jianying (Writer, the China representative of India-China Institute)
Liang Xiaoyan (Chief Secretary of Beijing Western Sunshine Rural Development Foundation)
Chung Ming Lai (Labour Action China)
Zhan Yang (Ph.D. student at Binghamton University)
Dr. Wang Xiaoming （Professor, Shanghai University）
Dr. Zhang Lianhong (Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences)
Dr. Gu Jinghua （Hong Kong Polytechnic University）
Dr. Sun Dacheng (SUNY Binghamton, Emeritus Professor)
Du Guang （Professor, Party School of the Central Committee of the CCP）
Shi Xiaoyu (Scholar of the People’s Livelihood）
He Zhijun (University of Technology Department of Applied Social Science, Professor)
Zhong Xiumei （National Cheng Kung University, Taiwanese Institute, Assistant Professor）
Alexander Day (Assistant Professor of History, Wayne State University)
Greg King (SEIU, Local 888, Boston, MA, USA)
Stephen Philion (Associate Professor, St. Cloud State University)
Gao Mobo （The University of Adelaide，Professor and Director, Confucius Institute）
Daniel F. Vukovich (University of Hong Kong)
Tani E. Barlow (Professor of History, Rice University)
Marc Blecher (Professor, Oberlin College)
Dr. Hu Jiaming (Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
宫德顺，退休工人，大连
左大培博士（社科院）
孙寿慧（江苏教师）
Joan Hinton
靳大成 （中国社会科学院文学研究所文艺理论研究室）
邹德宇 （转业军官）
Lee Feigon
Robert Weil (Retired Labor Organizer and Lecturer UC Santa Cruz)
John Sexton (journalist)
Ralph Litzinger (professor, Duke University)
Matt Hale (University of Washington, Ph.D candidate)
Joel Andreas (Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins University)
Raymond Lotta (Author, Political Economist)
Jackson Turner （Independent Writer, Historian）
徐启轩（哥伦比亚大学博士生）
Andrew Ross (Professor, New York University)
http://chinastudygroup.net/2010/06/support-honda-workers-in-foshan-china/
呼吁中华全国总工会为工人说话办事
中华全国总工会：
广东佛山本田汽车公司工人不堪忍受外资剥削压迫，为提高工资，改善工会组织状况，同资方进行了数日的罢工斗 争，显示了“新生代农民工”维权意识的极大提高，在工运史上具有里程碑意义。但是这场抗争是在极其艰苦的条 件下进行的，不但本企业工会缺席、地方党政机构袖手旁观，而且地方工会竟然殴打罢工工人，罢工领袖遭到资方 开除。这一切无不挑战着社会的良知和我们的忍耐限度。而且这种行为严重违反我国宪法第三十三条做出的“国家 尊重和保障人权”的规定。众所周知，罢工权是人权中不可分割的组成部分，也是世界各国宪法规定的公民的一项 基本权利。为声援工人的正义斗争，6月3日，由中国工人研究网全体编辑及包括一位日本同仁在内的11位学者 联合发出呼吁书，声援本田中国工人的罢工行动。一同参与呼吁的还有中国大陆、台湾香港地区、美国、日本、澳 大利亚、加拿大等地的著名学者、学生、工人共60余人。90岁高龄的国际共产主义战士寒春逝世前五天，也参 与联署表示了对工人罢工的支持。
然而，国务院新闻办网络管理部门不仅下令封杀了网络上有关此呼吁信的所有信息，而且还勒令关闭了首次刊登此 呼吁信的中国工人研究网。这种侵犯公民言论自由的行为是违反我国宪法庄严规定的；这种压制社会良知的行为是 不可容忍的。在此，我们呼吁中华全国总工会，要真正站在工人立场上采取切实有效的措施，为工人说话，为工人 办事，维护《宪法》和《工会法》的尊严和权威。同时提请全总就下列三个事项进行调查解决，并向公众反馈处理 结果。
1、立即将被开除的两位领导罢工的工人复职，资方必须公开承认错误并做出相应的经济补偿。
2、按照佛山本田多数工人的要求重整工会。企业工会领导班子必须由会员民主选举产生，资方的亲属、关系密切 人和代理人不准担任工会领导职务；工会专职干部薪金报酬由工会会费支付。
3、必须依法惩处广东省佛山市狮山镇工会殴打工人事件有关责任人。同时，鉴于狮山工会有协助资方打压工人的 前科，让社会各方怀疑其是否真正站于工人立场，广东省总工会在工会改组过程中，应该切实保障罢工和谈判中积 极的工人代表不被报复和打击，享有平等的选举和被选举权，这是工会能否赢回工人信任的必要行动 。
2010年7月1日
呼吁信签名人或单位：
中国工人研究网
李成瑞（原国家统计局局长）
巩献田（北京大学法学院教授）
李民骐 (美国犹他大学经济系助理教授)
黄德北 (台湾世新大学社会发展研究所教授)
陈敬慈 (香港城市大学)
萧家正 (深圳某中学教师，<香港诗词>执行主编，中华诗词学会会员)
傅占魁 (湖北民进秘书长，湖北诗词学会副会长)
陶冶 (业余作家，副研究员)
丘梓惠 (香港，环保团体工作者)
薛观文 (南昌工程学院学生，马克思主义研究社团)
徐飞 (湖南，工人)
史可顺 (北京，建材退休职工)
杨杰 (武汉，自由职业)
黄苏军 (南昌工程学院学生)
陈信行 (台湾世新大学副教授)
陈荣荣 (南昌大学学生)
李晶莹 (香港中文大学一年级生)
武学文 (郑州管城中医院主任中医师)
张倩夫 (纤夫，河南郑州)
袁宗琪 (河南郑州)
钟琪男 (网名田嘉力，人民网著名网友，重庆老工人)
张军 (山东烟台工人)
吴雄运 (北京，高级技术员)
张善怡 (香港市民)
中史俞 (北京，中央媒体从业者)
冯兴中 (四川蓬安县锆石残疾人互助站)
何兆明 (四川渠县职业病工人)
邓永明 (四川蓬安鞋厂工人)
刘华琼 (四川蓬安鞋厂工人)
陈白林 (四川仪陇县返乡工伤工人)
李维中 (重庆梁平职业病工伤工人代表)
杨人平 (四川广安职业病工人)
代泽华 (四川广安职业病工人)
李汉华 (武汉，工农之声网管理员)
蔡广业 (退休军医)
郑义 (北京，职员)
王向东 (北京大学政府管理学院学生)
何宁 (北京，教师)
张乘 (北京大学08级哲学系本科生)
范广宇 (北京大学本科07级学生)
Stephen Philion (Associate Professor,St. Cloud State University，美国)
金宝瑜 (美国Marygrove大学荣誉教授)
肖衍庆 (中国解放区文学研究会会长)
胡宝儿 (香港，半农半艺术工作者)
王丹 (女，香港大学)
杜继平 (台湾《批判与再造》主编)
陈庆生 (福建省漳州市龙文区孚美村晟达制罐厂)
高然 (北京大学历史学系本科生)
杨悦 (企业雇员)
D. Cairns (Seattle，University of Chicago)
张宏雷 (安徽省作协会员，党员，中级工)
韩嵚桦 (北京某航空公司销售代表)
Martin Hart (Landsberg, Professor of Economics, Lewis and Clark College, USA)
杨颖仁 (香港市民)
洪辉进 (香港，学生）
丁宁 (《自然之友》编辑)
Eli Friedman (member of United Auto Workers 2865, United States)
影行者 (香港)
杨早 (中国社科院)
张斌 (郑州 退休工人)
宋梦海 (郑州)
杨海英 (中国社会科学院历史研究所研究员)
李振城 (天津已退休研究员)
倪翠华 (北京兆维集团)
宋丹丽 (解放军某部干休所退休职工)
吴祖华 (湖北十堰市十堰粮油食品有限公司下岗职工)
陈江 (湖北十堰市十堰粮油食品有限公司下岗职工)
Greg King (Clerks & Techs Unit,City of Boston, SEIU, Local 888,Boston, MA, USA)
陈小元 (留美工程师)
Daniel F. Vukovich (Comparative Literature, School of Humanities,The University of Hong Kong)
赵芳 (北京，学生）
Albert Sargis (United Auto Workers/Local 2324(Retired),Boston, MA USA)
Soumitra Bose (Communist Party of India(Marxist- Leninist) liberation, South Asia liason section, Kolkata, India)
梁伦生 (湖南人，中国文革研究网版主)
李国亮 (香港，工地工人)
毛崇杰 (北京，中国社会科学院)
张世森 (重庆南山农民)
唐仁义 (重庆南山农民)
张文才 (重庆嘉陵厂)
李木生 (重庆嘉陵厂)
向国柱 (重庆特钢厂)
张朝华 (重庆特钢厂)
罗大华 (重庆钢铁公司)
周学东 (重庆电业局)
周绍华 (重庆市政工程公司)
汪启信 (重庆铁山坪生态度假村)
周雪松 (四川省粮食局)
王帅 (四川安岳一中教师)
刘新民 (河南舞钢技校教师)
曹明忠 (重庆南岸农民)
赵竟 (广东中医研究院)
刘祖国 (重庆渔民)
董建蓉 (深圳打工者)
刘正云 (重庆万盛区低保人员)
刘一平 (西藏灵芝游公司)
徐建生 (重庆话剧团职工)
陈倩莹 (香港中文大学学生)
李晶莹 (香港中文大学学生)
郑家榆 (香港中文大学学生)
Chan Melody (香港中文大学学生)
洪晓娴 (香港中文大学学生)
梁健尉 (香港中文大学学生)
林朝晖 (香港中文大学学生)
Tim Choi (香港中文大学学生)
谭子惠 (香港中文大学学生)
温晓涂 (香港)
梁杰城 （香港，中学生）
余炜彬 (香港，中学生)
陈子通 （香港，中学教师）
马岳 (香港，大学教师)
谭骏贤 (香港，工会干事)
香港中文大学学生会
刘日新 (原国家计委研究员)
李树泉 (北京教育学院退休干部)
Saul Thomas (University of Chicago)
赵明 (江苏欧龙地板有限公司营销总监助理)
赵宪 (保定退休干部)
苑素珍 (保定退休工人)
刘德贵 (保定退休工人)
岳明 (保定退休教师)
李国英 (保定退休教师)
余盛强 (浙江省地质调查院)
叶荫聪 (香港 岭南大学文化研究系导师)
苏乐怡 (香港 科技大学研究生)
林 万 (香港 城市大学应用社会学硕士学生)
何芝君 (香港 大学教授)
区诺轩 (香港 中文大学学生)
林嘉嘉 (香港 中文大学学生)
李晶莹 (香港 中文大学学生)
吴仲达 (香港 树仁大学学生)
梁柏能 (香港 科技大学博士生)
黄俊邦 (香港 独立媒体)
邓小桦 (香港 文化人)
萧德健 (香港 社会服务研究员)
胡浩堂 (香港 环保团体工作者)
周峻任 (香港 社工)
雷永锡 (香港 企业研究机构工作人员)
何俊杰 (香港 大学兼职导师)
黄汉邦 (香港 民间团体工作者)
麦志烈 (香港 IT业从业员)
陈永苗 (北京 学者)
吴志峰 (江西南昌)
Jessica Taal (Unit Chair, UC Berkeley, UAW 2865)
Robert Weil [Aptos, California Field Representative, University Council - American Federation of Teachers at UC Santa Cruz and delegate to the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council (retired)]
Zachary Levenson (Berkeley, California, USA UAW 2865)
Alexander Day,(Assistant Professor of History, Wayne State University)
Aaron Platt (United Auto Workers Local 2865 Berkeley, CA Shop)
YAMAMOTO Hiroyuki (Chiba-Pref.,Japan,Work Unit: International Labor Solidarity Committee of Doro-Chiba (National Railway Motive Power union of Chiba)
YONEDA Kunio (International Labor Solidarity Committee of Doro-Chiba (National Railway Motive Power union of Chiba))
http://www.reviewing.cn/wangyou/2010/0702/article_4030.html
VOA reported
百人致函中国总工会：为工人说话办事
记者: 雨舟 | 华盛顿 2010年7月03日
日前，百名海内外学者、工人和农民等各界人士联名上书，呼吁中华全国总工会“为工人说话办事”，并就本田罢 工事件提出数项处理要求。
*佛山罢工事件*
这是民间各界继“声援中国佛山本田工人行动呼吁信”和“致国务院新闻办”信之后，围绕本田罢工事件发出的第 三封公开信。
这封题为“呼吁中华全国总工会为工人说话办事”的公开信7月1日由“中国工人研究网”的四名编辑前往全国总 工会进行递交。它提出的三项要求包括，为被开除的两名罢工领导人复职；重整佛山本田工会；惩处佛山市狮山镇 工会殴打工人事件的责任人等。
*“明知不可而为之”*
北京的宪政学者、“声援中国佛山本田工人行动呼吁信”联署人之一的陈永苗接受美国之音记者采访时表示，向有 关部门发公开信提出要求，都属于“明知不可为而为之”的举动。
陈永苗说：“不论左派还是右派，都认为共产党领导下的工会起不到工会的作用，就是起不到维护工人利益、对抗 资本的作用。这样的公开信只是一种呼吁，并不能真正期待它起作用。更大的意义在于，希望建立独立工会，但是 独立工会在现有政治框架下也很难成形。这使得我们陷于困境，很多呼吁、很多声明都是明知不可为 而为之。”
陈永苗指出，中国官方领导阶层的利益与中国工人阶级的利益早已分道扬镳，而网路这块公共空间则为社会对草根 的支持提供平台，有效反映和凸显出公民群体的意愿。
*策划者言*
具体策划“呼吁中华全国总工会为工人说话办事”公开信的是在声援本田工人罢工行动中起重要作用的“中国工人 研究网”（zggr.org）。这个网站的站长余锋对美国之音记者说，目前总工会已经做出了一些正面和积极 的表态，希望通过公开信促成正面的效果。
余锋说：“我们想促使它(总工会)采取具体行动，不能光说好话，希望看到效果，这是我们想起的作用。我们无 权无势，约束不了他们，只能采取这样的行动来促使他们，或者以此引发社会公众的关注。”
余锋说，中国政府的性质就是为工人阶级当家作主，站在工人的立场，这是毫无疑问的。但是招商引资导致政府态 度偏移。
*“工研网”屡遭关闭 质疑官方宣传*
“中国工人研究网”为一个为工农等弱势群体呐喊的网站。这个网6月8日发表“声援中国佛山本田工人行动呼吁 信”之后，当日下午被国务院新闻办以“未经许可登载导向不良文章”为由关闭；此后，该网6月23日向国务院 新闻办发出百人签名的抗议信，要求重开网站，迄今未果。
“中国工人研究网”的前身“中国工人网”因2006年“两会”前夕刊登国有企业改制职工向“两会”的呼吁而 被政府宣布为“非法网站”遭到关闭。“工研网”在本次致国务院新闻办的抗议信中说，“现在我们因声援广州本 田汽车工人罢工再度被你们勒令关闭。我们不明白，你们为何对一个关注、关心国家领导阶级的网站如此仇视呢？ ”
“工研网”还指出，共产党的政府宣传部门应该坚持以社会主义为导向，为劳动人民服务为导向才是货真价实的舆 论导向，声援工人的维权活动才是正确的立场。
http://www.reviewing.cn/uploadfile/wangyou/uploadfile/201007/20100702021504989.jpg (http://www.reviewing.cn/uploadfile/wangyou/uploadfile/201007/20100702021504989.jpg)
"Research Network Chinese workers" to submit the appeal to the Chinese Federation of Trade Unions
To all those who are concerned with workers in China:
On May 17, 2010, more than 1800 Honda workers in Foshan decided to go on strike. By May 27, all four Honda plants in China had stopped production.
Why did the workers go on strike? It is because their wages are too low and their conditions are harsh! Formal workers at Honda in Foshan take home 1200 yuan (US$175) a month on average, while intern workers, 80% of its workforce, earn as little as 900 yuan (US$131) a month. Intern workers are students from technical schools who are not protected by the national Labor Contract Law, because they work for Honda under an internship contract. They are given a wage below the local minimum and are not covered by social insurance. What can Honda workers do with the little wages they get, at a time where prices for everyday goods are getting more and more expensive? They have little left, apart from covering their basic necessities. Can they hope to take root in the city? No. Can they work with dignity? No. They cannot afford housing, medical care, child rearing, or to look after their parents. With high inflation, it is difficult for them to take care of their own livelihood.
With all these difficulties, they have reported their situation to management through internal channels, but have been ignored. Their report disappears like a stone in the sea. Thus they are forced to go on strike. They demand a pay raise to 2000-2500 yuan. This is a very reasonable demand, as this was only about the average wage level in Foshan three years ago.
During the strike, they hoped that the company would take their views seriously and alleviate their current difficulties. But what did they get as a response? They met with threats and ridicule and a plot to divide the workers. The company said they would respond in a week. What did the company do in the meantime? The company threatened them: whoever does not return to work will be fired. The company picked out the strike leaders and fired them. The company also threatened all intern workers that if they did not return to work, they will not get their diploma for graduation. This is what Honda did in the interim. On May 24, the company responded that they will provide 55 yuan food subsidy to each worker. What a mockery they made of workers’ demand! Workers are not beggars! Facing Honda’s response, which clearly lacked sincerity, workers were angry and decided to continue their strike.
On May 26, Honda rolled out a proposal to divide the workers: 477 yuan raise for intern workers and 355 yuan raise for formal workers. They hoped to tempt intern workers to return to work and thus “divide and rule.”
What surprised Honda is the unity demonstrated by workers. On May 27, workers counter-proposed 800 yuan raise for all, with no discrimination. Yet Honda did not learn its lesson, but played the “divide and rule” game again: 634 yuan for intern workers after three months and 355 yuan for formal workers. At the same time, Honda exerted more pressure on intern workers and required them to sign a “no strike” commitment before 9 am, May 31. The company also brought local officials and teachers of technical schools to force intern workers to return to work before May 31. Honda had promised that they would address the problem with a positive attitude. Look at what happened. This is what Honda called a positive attitude.
Struggling for survival and for dignity, Honda workers are forced to go on strike. But Honda had no sincere intention to solve the problems; it continuously tried to divide the workers and mobilized others to exert pressure on them. At present, workers have agreed to return to work for three days and allow the management time (before Friday) to respond to their demands. Now is the critical time for the workers’ struggle. Therefore, we appeal to all Honda workers, all worker brothers and sisters, people in China who are concerned with workers, and people in the world who are concerned with workers, to support the struggles of Honda workers in Foshan!
It is because their struggles are reasonable and just. They resist the oppression of their exploiters and they fight for a dignified life for all workers.
Let us unite and exert pressure on Honda. We want to tell Honda: stop all your efforts to divide and suppress workers and meet workers’ demands.
We most sincerely salute the courageous Honda workers!
Contact: [email protected]
发起人：
Dr. Yan Hairong (Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
Dr. Chan Kingchi (City University of Hong Kong)
Dong Xulin (Retiree from the United Nations)
Dr. Du Jiping (Taiwan, Former editor of Pipan yu zaizao)
Dr. Chen Yunzhong (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
Dr. Barry Sautman (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
Dr. Tong Xiaoxi (Chinese University of Agriculture)
Dr. Dong Qingyuan (Engineer in USA)
Dr. Fang Mou (Scientist, USA)
Dr. Ma Yaobang (Writer, Canada)
Wu Jianbing (Poet, USA)
Peng Zhaochang (University of Massachusetts)
Liu Shenyu （Scholar/Writer, USA）
Luo Qiyuan (Retired Engineer)
http://gopetition.com/online/36847.html
Support Honda Workers in Foshan China
(For Chinese version, see below.)
To all those who are concerned with workers in China:
On May 17, 2010, more than 1800 Honda workers in Foshan decided to go on strike. By May 27, all four Honda plants in China had stopped production.
Why did the workers go on strike? It is because their wages are too low and their conditions are harsh! Formal workers at Honda in Foshan take home 1200 yuan (US$175) a month on average, while intern workers, 80% of its workforce, earn as little as 900 yuan (US$131) a month. Intern workers are students from technical schools who are not protected by the national Labor Contract Law, because they work for Honda under an internship contract. They are given a wage below the local minimum and are not covered by social insurance. What can Honda workers do with the little wages they get, at a time where prices for everyday goods are getting more and more expensive? They have little left, apart from covering their basic necessities. Can they hope to take root in the city? No. Can they work with dignity? No. They cannot afford housing, medical care, child rearing, or to look after their parents. With high inflation, it is difficult for them to take care of their own livelihood.
With all these difficulties, they have reported their situation to management through internal channels, but have been ignored. Their report disappears like a stone in the sea. Thus they are forced to go on strike. They demand a pay raise to 2000-2500 yuan. This is a very reasonable demand, as this was only about the average wage level in Foshan three years ago.
During the strike, they hoped that the company would take their views seriously and alleviate their current difficulties. But what did they get as a response? They met with threats and ridicule and a plot to divide the workers. The company said they would respond in a week. What did the company do in the meantime? The company threatened them: whoever does not return to work will be fired. The company picked out the strike leaders and fired them. The company also threatened all intern workers that if they did not return to work, they will not get their diploma for graduation. This is what Honda did in the interim. On May 24, the company responded that they will provide 55 yuan food subsidy to each worker. What a mockery they made of workers’ demand! Workers are not beggars! Facing Honda’s response, which clearly lacked sincerity, workers were angry and decided to continue their strike.
On May 26, Honda rolled out a proposal to divide the workers: 477 yuan raise for intern workers and 355 yuan raise for formal workers. They hoped to tempt intern workers to return to work and thus “divide and rule.”
What surprised Honda is the unity demonstrated by workers. On May 27, workers counter-proposed 800 yuan raise for all, with no discrimination. Yet Honda did not learn its lesson, but played the “divide and rule” game again: 634 yuan for intern workers after three months and 355 yuan for formal workers. At the same time, Honda exerted more pressure on intern workers and required them to sign a “no strike” commitment before 9 am, May 31. The company also brought local officials and teachers of technical schools to force intern workers to return to work before May 31. Honda had promised that they would address the problem with a positive attitude. Look at what happened. This is what Honda called a positive attitude.
Struggling for survival and for dignity, Honda workers are forced to go on strike. But Honda had no sincere intention to solve the problems; it continuously tried to divide the workers and mobilized others to exert pressure on them. At present, workers have agreed to return to work for three days and allow the management time (before Friday) to respond to their demands. Now is the critical time for the workers’ struggle. Therefore, we appeal to all Honda workers, all worker brothers and sisters, people in China who are concerned with workers, and people in the world who are concerned with workers, to support the struggles of Honda workers in Foshan!
It is because their struggles are reasonable and just. They resist the oppression of their exploiters and they fight for a dignified life for all workers.
Let us unite and exert pressure on Honda. We want to tell Honda: stop all your efforts to divide and suppress workers and meet workers’ demands.
We most sincerely salute the courageous Honda workers!
Contact: [email protected]
Initiators:
Editors of Chinese Workers Research Network
Dr. Yan Hairong (Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
Dr. Alvin So (Professor, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
Dr. Szeto May (University of Hong Kong)
Wong Kai Hing (President of The Hong Kong Polytechinc University Students’ Union)
Dr. Chan Kingchi (City University of Hong Kong)
Dong Xulin (Retiree from the United Nations)
Dr. Du Jiping (Taiwan, editor of Pipan yu zaizao)
Dr. Chen Yunzhong (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
Dr. Barry Sautman (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
Dr. Tong Xiaoxi (Chinese University of Agriculture)
Dr. Fumie Ohashi (JSPS research fellow)
Signers:
Dr. Wang Hui (Professor, Qinghua University)
Dr. Dong Qingyuan (Engineer in USA)
Dr. Fang Mou (Scientist, USA)
Dr. Ma Yaobang (Writer, Canada)
Wu Jianbing (Poet, USA)
Peng Zhaochang (University of Massachusetts)
Liu Shenyu （Scholar/Writer, USA）
Luo Chiyun (Retired Engineer)
Dr. Ching Pao-yu (Professor Emeritus, Marygrove University)
Dr. Bai Di (Drew University)
Dr. Wang Dan (Hong Kong University)
Dr. Chen I-Chung (Academia Sinica, Taiwan)
Dr. Anita Chan (Professor, Sydney University of Technology)
Dr. Chen Kuan-Hsing (Professor, Qinghua University, Taiwan)
Zha Jianying (Writer, the China representative of India-China Institute)
Liang Xiaoyan (Chief Secretary of Beijing Western Sunshine Rural Development Foundation)
Chung Ming Lai (Labour Action China)
Zhan Yang (Ph.D. student at Binghamton University)
Dr. Wang Xiaoming （Professor, Shanghai University）
Dr. Zhang Lianhong (Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences)
Dr. Gu Jinghua （Hong Kong Polytechnic University）
Dr. Sun Dacheng (SUNY Binghamton, Emeritus Professor)
Du Guang （Professor, Party School of the Central Committee of the CCP）
Shi Xiaoyu (Scholar of the People’s Livelihood）
He Zhijun (University of Technology Department of Applied Social Science, Professor)
Zhong Xiumei （National Cheng Kung University, Taiwanese Institute, Assistant Professor）
Alexander Day (Assistant Professor of History, Wayne State University)
Greg King (SEIU, Local 888, Boston, MA, USA)
Stephen Philion (Associate Professor, St. Cloud State University)
Gao Mobo （The University of Adelaide，Professor and Director, Confucius Institute）
Daniel F. Vukovich (University of Hong Kong)
Tani E. Barlow (Professor of History, Rice University)
Marc Blecher (Professor, Oberlin College)
Dr. Hu Jiaming (Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
宫德顺，退休工人，大连
左大培博士（社科院）
孙寿慧（江苏教师）
Joan Hinton
靳大成 （中国社会科学院文学研究所文艺理论研究室）
邹德宇 （转业军官）
Lee Feigon
Robert Weil (Retired Labor Organizer and Lecturer UC Santa Cruz)
John Sexton (journalist)
Ralph Litzinger (professor, Duke University)
Matt Hale (University of Washington, Ph.D candidate)
Joel Andreas (Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins University)
Raymond Lotta (Author, Political Economist)
Jackson Turner （Independent Writer, Historian）
徐启轩（哥伦比亚大学博士生）
Andrew Ross (Professor, New York University)
http://chinastudygroup.net/2010/06/support-honda-workers-in-foshan-china/
呼吁中华全国总工会为工人说话办事
中华全国总工会：
广东佛山本田汽车公司工人不堪忍受外资剥削压迫，为提高工资，改善工会组织状况，同资方进行了数日的罢工斗 争，显示了“新生代农民工”维权意识的极大提高，在工运史上具有里程碑意义。但是这场抗争是在极其艰苦的条 件下进行的，不但本企业工会缺席、地方党政机构袖手旁观，而且地方工会竟然殴打罢工工人，罢工领袖遭到资方 开除。这一切无不挑战着社会的良知和我们的忍耐限度。而且这种行为严重违反我国宪法第三十三条做出的“国家 尊重和保障人权”的规定。众所周知，罢工权是人权中不可分割的组成部分，也是世界各国宪法规定的公民的一项 基本权利。为声援工人的正义斗争，6月3日，由中国工人研究网全体编辑及包括一位日本同仁在内的11位学者 联合发出呼吁书，声援本田中国工人的罢工行动。一同参与呼吁的还有中国大陆、台湾香港地区、美国、日本、澳 大利亚、加拿大等地的著名学者、学生、工人共60余人。90岁高龄的国际共产主义战士寒春逝世前五天，也参 与联署表示了对工人罢工的支持。
然而，国务院新闻办网络管理部门不仅下令封杀了网络上有关此呼吁信的所有信息，而且还勒令关闭了首次刊登此 呼吁信的中国工人研究网。这种侵犯公民言论自由的行为是违反我国宪法庄严规定的；这种压制社会良知的行为是 不可容忍的。在此，我们呼吁中华全国总工会，要真正站在工人立场上采取切实有效的措施，为工人说话，为工人 办事，维护《宪法》和《工会法》的尊严和权威。同时提请全总就下列三个事项进行调查解决，并向公众反馈处理 结果。
1、立即将被开除的两位领导罢工的工人复职，资方必须公开承认错误并做出相应的经济补偿。
2、按照佛山本田多数工人的要求重整工会。企业工会领导班子必须由会员民主选举产生，资方的亲属、关系密切 人和代理人不准担任工会领导职务；工会专职干部薪金报酬由工会会费支付。
3、必须依法惩处广东省佛山市狮山镇工会殴打工人事件有关责任人。同时，鉴于狮山工会有协助资方打压工人的 前科，让社会各方怀疑其是否真正站于工人立场，广东省总工会在工会改组过程中，应该切实保障罢工和谈判中积 极的工人代表不被报复和打击，享有平等的选举和被选举权，这是工会能否赢回工人信任的必要行动 。
2010年7月1日
呼吁信签名人或单位：
中国工人研究网
李成瑞（原国家统计局局长）
巩献田（北京大学法学院教授）
李民骐 (美国犹他大学经济系助理教授)
黄德北 (台湾世新大学社会发展研究所教授)
陈敬慈 (香港城市大学)
萧家正 (深圳某中学教师，<香港诗词>执行主编，中华诗词学会会员)
傅占魁 (湖北民进秘书长，湖北诗词学会副会长)
陶冶 (业余作家，副研究员)
丘梓惠 (香港，环保团体工作者)
薛观文 (南昌工程学院学生，马克思主义研究社团)
徐飞 (湖南，工人)
史可顺 (北京，建材退休职工)
杨杰 (武汉，自由职业)
黄苏军 (南昌工程学院学生)
陈信行 (台湾世新大学副教授)
陈荣荣 (南昌大学学生)
李晶莹 (香港中文大学一年级生)
武学文 (郑州管城中医院主任中医师)
张倩夫 (纤夫，河南郑州)
袁宗琪 (河南郑州)
钟琪男 (网名田嘉力，人民网著名网友，重庆老工人)
张军 (山东烟台工人)
吴雄运 (北京，高级技术员)
张善怡 (香港市民)
中史俞 (北京，中央媒体从业者)
冯兴中 (四川蓬安县锆石残疾人互助站)
何兆明 (四川渠县职业病工人)
邓永明 (四川蓬安鞋厂工人)
刘华琼 (四川蓬安鞋厂工人)
陈白林 (四川仪陇县返乡工伤工人)
李维中 (重庆梁平职业病工伤工人代表)
杨人平 (四川广安职业病工人)
代泽华 (四川广安职业病工人)
李汉华 (武汉，工农之声网管理员)
蔡广业 (退休军医)
郑义 (北京，职员)
王向东 (北京大学政府管理学院学生)
何宁 (北京，教师)
张乘 (北京大学08级哲学系本科生)
范广宇 (北京大学本科07级学生)
Stephen Philion (Associate Professor,St. Cloud State University，美国)
金宝瑜 (美国Marygrove大学荣誉教授)
肖衍庆 (中国解放区文学研究会会长)
胡宝儿 (香港，半农半艺术工作者)
王丹 (女，香港大学)
杜继平 (台湾《批判与再造》主编)
陈庆生 (福建省漳州市龙文区孚美村晟达制罐厂)
高然 (北京大学历史学系本科生)
杨悦 (企业雇员)
D. Cairns (Seattle，University of Chicago)
张宏雷 (安徽省作协会员，党员，中级工)
韩嵚桦 (北京某航空公司销售代表)
Martin Hart (Landsberg, Professor of Economics, Lewis and Clark College, USA)
杨颖仁 (香港市民)
洪辉进 (香港，学生）
丁宁 (《自然之友》编辑)
Eli Friedman (member of United Auto Workers 2865, United States)
影行者 (香港)
杨早 (中国社科院)
张斌 (郑州 退休工人)
宋梦海 (郑州)
杨海英 (中国社会科学院历史研究所研究员)
李振城 (天津已退休研究员)
倪翠华 (北京兆维集团)
宋丹丽 (解放军某部干休所退休职工)
吴祖华 (湖北十堰市十堰粮油食品有限公司下岗职工)
陈江 (湖北十堰市十堰粮油食品有限公司下岗职工)
Greg King (Clerks & Techs Unit,City of Boston, SEIU, Local 888,Boston, MA, USA)
陈小元 (留美工程师)
Daniel F. Vukovich (Comparative Literature, School of Humanities,The University of Hong Kong)
赵芳 (北京，学生）
Albert Sargis (United Auto Workers/Local 2324(Retired),Boston, MA USA)
Soumitra Bose (Communist Party of India(Marxist- Leninist) liberation, South Asia liason section, Kolkata, India)
梁伦生 (湖南人，中国文革研究网版主)
李国亮 (香港，工地工人)
毛崇杰 (北京，中国社会科学院)
张世森 (重庆南山农民)
唐仁义 (重庆南山农民)
张文才 (重庆嘉陵厂)
李木生 (重庆嘉陵厂)
向国柱 (重庆特钢厂)
张朝华 (重庆特钢厂)
罗大华 (重庆钢铁公司)
周学东 (重庆电业局)
周绍华 (重庆市政工程公司)
汪启信 (重庆铁山坪生态度假村)
周雪松 (四川省粮食局)
王帅 (四川安岳一中教师)
刘新民 (河南舞钢技校教师)
曹明忠 (重庆南岸农民)
赵竟 (广东中医研究院)
刘祖国 (重庆渔民)
董建蓉 (深圳打工者)
刘正云 (重庆万盛区低保人员)
刘一平 (西藏灵芝游公司)
徐建生 (重庆话剧团职工)
陈倩莹 (香港中文大学学生)
李晶莹 (香港中文大学学生)
郑家榆 (香港中文大学学生)
Chan Melody (香港中文大学学生)
洪晓娴 (香港中文大学学生)
梁健尉 (香港中文大学学生)
林朝晖 (香港中文大学学生)
Tim Choi (香港中文大学学生)
谭子惠 (香港中文大学学生)
温晓涂 (香港)
梁杰城 （香港，中学生）
余炜彬 (香港，中学生)
陈子通 （香港，中学教师）
马岳 (香港，大学教师)
谭骏贤 (香港，工会干事)
香港中文大学学生会
刘日新 (原国家计委研究员)
李树泉 (北京教育学院退休干部)
Saul Thomas (University of Chicago)
赵明 (江苏欧龙地板有限公司营销总监助理)
赵宪 (保定退休干部)
苑素珍 (保定退休工人)
刘德贵 (保定退休工人)
岳明 (保定退休教师)
李国英 (保定退休教师)
余盛强 (浙江省地质调查院)
叶荫聪 (香港 岭南大学文化研究系导师)
苏乐怡 (香港 科技大学研究生)
林 万 (香港 城市大学应用社会学硕士学生)
何芝君 (香港 大学教授)
区诺轩 (香港 中文大学学生)
林嘉嘉 (香港 中文大学学生)
李晶莹 (香港 中文大学学生)
吴仲达 (香港 树仁大学学生)
梁柏能 (香港 科技大学博士生)
黄俊邦 (香港 独立媒体)
邓小桦 (香港 文化人)
萧德健 (香港 社会服务研究员)
胡浩堂 (香港 环保团体工作者)
周峻任 (香港 社工)
雷永锡 (香港 企业研究机构工作人员)
何俊杰 (香港 大学兼职导师)
黄汉邦 (香港 民间团体工作者)
麦志烈 (香港 IT业从业员)
陈永苗 (北京 学者)
吴志峰 (江西南昌)
Jessica Taal (Unit Chair, UC Berkeley, UAW 2865)
Robert Weil [Aptos, California Field Representative, University Council - American Federation of Teachers at UC Santa Cruz and delegate to the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council (retired)]
Zachary Levenson (Berkeley, California, USA UAW 2865)
Alexander Day,(Assistant Professor of History, Wayne State University)
Aaron Platt (United Auto Workers Local 2865 Berkeley, CA Shop)
YAMAMOTO Hiroyuki (Chiba-Pref.,Japan,Work Unit: International Labor Solidarity Committee of Doro-Chiba (National Railway Motive Power union of Chiba)
YONEDA Kunio (International Labor Solidarity Committee of Doro-Chiba (National Railway Motive Power union of Chiba))
http://www.reviewing.cn/wangyou/2010/0702/article_4030.html
VOA reported
百人致函中国总工会：为工人说话办事
记者: 雨舟 | 华盛顿 2010年7月03日
日前，百名海内外学者、工人和农民等各界人士联名上书，呼吁中华全国总工会“为工人说话办事”，并就本田罢 工事件提出数项处理要求。
*佛山罢工事件*
这是民间各界继“声援中国佛山本田工人行动呼吁信”和“致国务院新闻办”信之后，围绕本田罢工事件发出的第 三封公开信。
这封题为“呼吁中华全国总工会为工人说话办事”的公开信7月1日由“中国工人研究网”的四名编辑前往全国总 工会进行递交。它提出的三项要求包括，为被开除的两名罢工领导人复职；重整佛山本田工会；惩处佛山市狮山镇 工会殴打工人事件的责任人等。
*“明知不可而为之”*
北京的宪政学者、“声援中国佛山本田工人行动呼吁信”联署人之一的陈永苗接受美国之音记者采访时表示，向有 关部门发公开信提出要求，都属于“明知不可为而为之”的举动。
陈永苗说：“不论左派还是右派，都认为共产党领导下的工会起不到工会的作用，就是起不到维护工人利益、对抗 资本的作用。这样的公开信只是一种呼吁，并不能真正期待它起作用。更大的意义在于，希望建立独立工会，但是 独立工会在现有政治框架下也很难成形。这使得我们陷于困境，很多呼吁、很多声明都是明知不可为 而为之。”
陈永苗指出，中国官方领导阶层的利益与中国工人阶级的利益早已分道扬镳，而网路这块公共空间则为社会对草根 的支持提供平台，有效反映和凸显出公民群体的意愿。
*策划者言*
具体策划“呼吁中华全国总工会为工人说话办事”公开信的是在声援本田工人罢工行动中起重要作用的“中国工人 研究网”（zggr.org）。这个网站的站长余锋对美国之音记者说，目前总工会已经做出了一些正面和积极 的表态，希望通过公开信促成正面的效果。
余锋说：“我们想促使它(总工会)采取具体行动，不能光说好话，希望看到效果，这是我们想起的作用。我们无 权无势，约束不了他们，只能采取这样的行动来促使他们，或者以此引发社会公众的关注。”
余锋说，中国政府的性质就是为工人阶级当家作主，站在工人的立场，这是毫无疑问的。但是招商引资导致政府态 度偏移。
*“工研网”屡遭关闭 质疑官方宣传*
“中国工人研究网”为一个为工农等弱势群体呐喊的网站。这个网6月8日发表“声援中国佛山本田工人行动呼吁 信”之后，当日下午被国务院新闻办以“未经许可登载导向不良文章”为由关闭；此后，该网6月23日向国务院 新闻办发出百人签名的抗议信，要求重开网站，迄今未果。
“中国工人研究网”的前身“中国工人网”因2006年“两会”前夕刊登国有企业改制职工向“两会”的呼吁而 被政府宣布为“非法网站”遭到关闭。“工研网”在本次致国务院新闻办的抗议信中说，“现在我们因声援广州本 田汽车工人罢工再度被你们勒令关闭。我们不明白，你们为何对一个关注、关心国家领导阶级的网站如此仇视呢？ ”
“工研网”还指出，共产党的政府宣传部门应该坚持以社会主义为导向，为劳动人民服务为导向才是货真价实的舆 论导向，声援工人的维权活动才是正确的立场。
http://www.reviewing.cn/uploadfile/wangyou/uploadfile/201007/20100702021504989.jpg (http://www.reviewing.cn/uploadfile/wangyou/uploadfile/201007/20100702021504989.jpg)
"Research Network Chinese workers" to submit the appeal to the Chinese Federation of Trade Unions